Ojy Okpe Biography: Rise of the Nigerian Model, Emmy Producer & Arise News Anchor
Ojy Okpe, is a Nigerian television anchor, former international model, film producer, and journalist. Born in Lagos and rooted in Ukwuani in Delta State, she has built a multifaceted career that spans fashion runways across continents, Hollywood production work, and prominent roles on Arise News, where she co-anchors the Good Morning Show and hosts her popular segment What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe.
Ojy Okpe Early Life and Family Background
Ojinika Anne Okpe was born on 23 April 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria (note that some sources, including certain Wikipedia entries, list 1984; the 1981 date appears more frequently across biographical profiles and aligns with reported ages in recent coverage). She holds Nigerian nationality. Her full name at birth was Ojinika Anne Egwuenu; she later adopted Okpe through marriage.
She is the daughter of Philomena Ngozi Egwuenu and Matthew Egwuenu, a former Nigerian Commissioner of Police who later held the title Chief Barrister Matthew Egwuenu. Her father passed away in February 2026 at age 80. Her mother predeceased him. Public records indicate she grew up with siblings, including one brother and several sisters. The family background involved public service and mobility, which exposed her to different parts of Nigeria during her formative years.
Her roots lie in Ukwuani (also spelled Ukwani), a local government area in Delta State in Nigeria’s South-South region. The Ukwuani people form an ethnic community with distinct cultural identity in the Niger Delta area. This heritage remains a point of personal reference for her.
Ojy Okpe Education
Details of her early schooling vary slightly across sources. Some accounts place primary education at institutions such as Queensland Academy or St Bernadette Catholic School and secondary education at Rainbow College in Lagos or Federal Government Girls College in Benin, Edo State. What is consistently reported is that she pursued higher education in the United States.
In 2006 she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Film Production from St. John’s University in New York. She further studied film production at the New York Film Academy. These studies aligned with her long-standing interest in camera-based storytelling and prepared her for the transition from modeling into production and later broadcasting.
Ojy Okpe Modeling Career
Ojy Okpe’s entry into modeling began in her late teens when South African talent scout Jan Malan discovered her in Nigeria. She entered the M-Net Face of Africa competition and reached the finals held in Ghana, an achievement that paralleled the path of other notable African models such as Oluchi Onweagba.
This exposure led to a contract with Storm Management. She worked in South Africa, appearing in magazines including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Drum, and True Love, and walked runways at South African Fashion Week. She later relocated to New York, becoming associated with the swimwear brand Gottex and walking for designers and houses such as Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Moschino, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce & Gabbana in New York, Paris, and London.
She has appeared in additional publications such as Essence, Vogue, and Genevieve Magazine, and has walked African fashion weeks including Lagos Fashion Week and Arise Fashion Week. She also served as the face of L’Oréal’s Mizani brand in Africa and helped develop distribution channels. Height is commonly listed at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm). Modeling remained an active part of her profile even as she expanded into other fields.
Ojy Okpe Career
Her professional path has centered on visual storytelling, progressing from the runway to film sets and then to television journalism.
Modeling to Film Transition
After completing her degree, she sought opportunities in film production. She worked on Hollywood projects including the fashion-centered film The Devil Wears Prada, the Marvel production Spider-Man 3, and the romantic comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic. These experiences deepened her interest in production.
Film Production and Africa Shape
She initially envisioned a company called Third Mainland Productions aimed at bridging Nollywood and Hollywood. This concept evolved into Africa Shape, a platform focused on African stories of resilience and determination. The company seeks to highlight figures such as Queen Amina of Zaria and Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. She has produced bio-documentaries, including work featuring musicians such as Ciara and Janelle Monáe.
A significant credit is her contribution as part of the production crew for the documentary Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism (sometimes referenced as Game Changers), which earned a New York Emmy Award.
Television Work at Arise News
She joined Arise News around 2013. She co-anchors the Good Morning Show, working alongside colleagues that have included Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni, Ayo Mairo-Ese, and Steve Ayorinde on different days. She also hosts and produces the segment What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe, which examines current events and has built a following on television and online platforms.
She has conducted interviews with figures including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Oluchi Onweagba, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Iman, and Idina Menzel. Additional hosting roles include events such as coverage related to the Golden Globes for Arise News, ThisDay Awards, and network anniversaries.
Ojy Okpe Personal Life
Ojy Okpe was married to Austin Okpe. The marriage ended in divorce in 2014. They have two children, a son and a daughter. She has maintained a relatively private approach to family matters while raising her children, who have been noted in some reports as pursuing higher education.
She is known to share close friendships with actress Genevieve Nnaji and model Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi, with public accounts of joint travels. Recent personal milestones include marking her birthday with reflections that have referenced family, including her late father.
Ojy Okpe Awards and Recognition
She is recognized as an Emmy Award recipient through her work on the Harlem Globetrotters documentary. Additional honors reported in recent years include Outstanding Africa Journalist of the Year from the Nigerian Institute of Environmental Engineers (2024), Television Personality of the Year from Cool Wealth Awards (2024), inclusion among the 100 Most Influential People of 2024 by Top Charts Africa, and Television Personality of the Year from Mr and Miss Nigeria International (2024). She received a nomination for TV Personality of the Year at the ELOY Awards in 2020. Arise News has also highlighted her among outstanding women during International Women’s Month observances.
Ojy Okpe Philanthropy and Foundation Work
Beyond her media career, she established the Ojy Okpe Foundation. The organization focuses on expanding access to healthcare and education for underprivileged children across Nigeria. Its mission emphasizes removing barriers so that young people can develop their potential through free education initiatives, healthcare services, professional training, and related opportunities. Earlier associations with groups such as the Salvation Army and Red Cross reflect a long-standing interest in supporting vulnerable children.
Ojy Okpe State of Origin and Cultural Roots
Ojy Okpe hails from Ukwuani Local Government Area in Delta State, Nigeria. The headquarters of the LGA is Obiaruku. The Ukwuani people constitute an ethnic group primarily located in Delta State (with some presence noted in neighboring areas) and form part of the broader cultural landscape of the western Niger Delta.
The community maintains its language and traditions. Her father was associated with Ukwuani, and family statements have referenced the area. Growing up with roots in this South-South region while spending formative years in Lagos and later studying abroad has given her a perspective that connects local Nigerian identity with international experience. Coverage of her life frequently notes this Delta State origin as foundational.
Conclusion
Ojy Okpe’s biography illustrates a deliberate progression across modeling, film production, and television journalism. From her discovery as a teenager through international fashion work, Emmy-recognized production credits, and her established presence on Arise News, she has consistently engaged with storytelling. Her roots in Ukwuani, Delta State, education in the United States, family experiences, and philanthropic efforts through the Ojy Okpe Foundation add further dimensions. The available public record presents a professional who has navigated multiple industries while maintaining focus on African narratives and public communication.
FAQs
Who is Ojy Okpe?
Ojy Okpe is a Nigerian television anchor on Arise News, a former international model, film producer, and journalist. She hosts What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe and co-anchors the Good Morning Show.
What is Ojy Okpe’s full name and date of birth?
Her full name is Ojinika Anne Okpe (née Egwuenu). She was born on 23 April 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria, according to the majority of biographical sources (some list 1984).
Where is Ojy Okpe from?
She is from Ukwuani in Delta State, Nigeria, and was born in Lagos.
Who was Ojy Okpe married to and does she have children?
She was married to Austin Okpe; they divorced in 2014. They have two children.
What awards has Ojy Okpe received?
She contributed to an Emmy Award-winning documentary on the Harlem Globetrotters. Other reported honors include television personality awards and recognition among influential figures in 2024.
What is Ojy Okpe’s production company?
She is associated with Africa Shape, which evolved from an earlier concept called Third Mainland Productions and focuses on African stories.
Where did Ojy Okpe study?
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Film Production from St. John’s University in New York in 2006 and studied further at the New York Film Academy.
