Stephanie Okereke Linus (born 2 October 1982, Ngor Okpala, Imo State, Nigeria) is a celebrated Nigerian actress, filmmaker, model, and humanitarian. At 42 years old (as of 2025), she remains one of Nollywood’s most accomplished and influential figures, starring in more than 100 films and using her art to advance social change—especially in women’s health.
Early Career and Rise to Stardom
Her acting career began in the late 1990s. She quickly earned acclaim for her strong performances, winning the Reel Awards’ Best Actress and receiving multiple Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nominations. Her ability to portray complex characters established her as one of Nollywood’s leading actresses.
Transition to Filmmaking
In 2008, she made her directorial debut with Through the Glass, a Nigerian-American comedy she wrote, directed, and starred in.
In 2014, she directed Dry, a socially conscious drama about vesicovaginal fistula and child marriage. The film won multiple awards, including Best Overall Movie at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and Best Nigerian Film at the 2016 AMAA.
Advocacy and Humanitarian Work
Stephanie founded the Extended Hands Foundation, which funds free surgeries and support for women and girls suffering from obstetric fistulas. Through her film Dry and her foundation’s work, she has helped raise awareness about women’s health issues across Africa.
Family
She is married to Linus Idahosa, a media entrepreneur and public speaker. They married in April 2012 in a high-profile wedding in Paris, France. The couple has one son, born in 2015.
Status
Stephanie Okereke Linus is alive and active in both filmmaking and humanitarian projects.
Sources: Stephanie Okereke Linus official profiles, interviews in The Guardian Nigeria, and Africa Movie Academy Awards records.
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