There is something compelling about a career that refuses to be boxed in. Ojy Okpe has been a supermodel walking runways in Paris, New York, and London. She has appeared on Hollywood film sets. She has won an Emmy Award. And today she is one of the most recognised faces on Arise News, anchoring the morning show and running one of Nigeria’s most watched trending segments. That breadth of experience is not an accident; it is the result of a woman who has always pursued what genuinely interests her, regardless of convention.
Ojy Okpe Biography
| Full Name | Ojinika Anne Okpe |
| Date of Birth | April 23, 1981 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Ukwuani (Delta-Igbo) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Profession | TV Anchor, Model, Film Producer |
| Children | Two (Augustine and Earth Okpe) |
| Education | St John’s University New York (Communications); New York Film Academy |
| Known For | What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe on Arise News; Mnet Face of Africa |
Early Life and Background
Ojinika Anne Okpe, known professionally as Ojy Okpe, was born on April 23, 1981, in Lagos, Nigeria, though she hails from Umukwata, Ukwuani in Delta State. She belongs to the Ukwuani subgroup of the Igbo-speaking Delta communities, a heritage she carries with quiet pride.
Her upbringing was shaped by her parents: her father, Matthew Egwuenu, served as a Commissioner of Police in Nigeria, and her mother, Philomena Ngozi Egwuenu, was a formative presence throughout her early years. Growing up in a home with a father in law enforcement meant a certain level of structure and discipline, attributes that perhaps explain the precision and professionalism Ojy later brought to her broadcasting work.
She received her early education at St. Bernadette Catholic School in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and completed her secondary school certificate at Federal Government Girls College, Benin, in Edo State. These formative institutions gave her a solid academic grounding before she moved on to more creative pursuits.
Education
After completing secondary school, Ojy relocated to New York where she enrolled at St. John’s University. In 2006, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, with a minor in Film Production. She also attended the New York Film Academy, deepening her knowledge of film craft. That combination of communication theory and practical filmmaking gave her an edge that most models-turned-journalists simply do not have. She did not just know how to appear on camera; she understood what happens behind it.
Modelling Career
Ojy’s first brush with public attention came not through journalism but through modelling. Discovered at age 17 by South African talent scout Jan Malan, she was encouraged to enter the Mnet Face of Africa competition, one of Africa’s most prestigious modelling contests. She made it to the finals, held in Ghana, and the exposure that followed was substantial.
She signed with Storm Model Management and relocated to South Africa to pursue modelling. From there, she graced the pages of magazines including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Drum, and True Love, and walked the runway at South Africa Fashion Week. Her career then expanded to New York, where she became the face of the iconic swimwear brand Gottex. On international runways, she walked for Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Moschino, Ralph Lauren, and Dolce and Gabbana, moving between New York, Paris, and London with the ease of someone completely comfortable in that world.
In 2007, she was the face of L’Oreal’s Mizani haircare line, not just as a model but as someone who also helped develop distribution channels for the brand in Nigeria. It was an early sign that she thought commercially as well as creatively.
Film and Television Career
Ojy’s transition from modelling to film began during her college years in New York. She joined the crew of several Hollywood productions, including The Devil Wears Prada, Spider-Man 3, and the romantic comedy Confessions of a Shopaholic. These were not headline roles but meaningful learning experiences that gave her direct exposure to large-scale production environments.
She later founded her production company, Africa Shape (formerly Third Mainland Productions), with the explicit goal of bridging Nollywood and Hollywood. Through this company, she produced bio-documentaries on musicians including Ciara and Janelle Monae, and contributed to the documentary Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism, for which she was part of the Emmy Award-winning production crew. That Emmy placed her in an exclusive category of Nigerians who have received American television’s highest honour.
Her journalism career began taking shape after she joined Arise News. She co-anchors the Good Morning Show alongside colleagues including Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni, and hosts her own segment, What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe, which has built a dedicated audience both on live television and on YouTube. She has interviewed public figures including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Iman, and Idina Menzel.
Influence and Contributions
What makes Ojy Okpe’s career genuinely interesting is not any single achievement but the combination of all of them. She is one of the very few people in Nigerian media who can credibly claim an Emmy, a Face of Africa finalist spot, Hollywood production credits, and a growing reputation as a broadcast journalist, all in one career. Her segment on Arise News is distinctive because she brings that storytelling depth to trending news, presenting information in a way that feels constructed, not merely read.
She founded a charitable foundation following her university graduation, doing volunteer work with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, focusing on underprivileged children. That philanthropic instinct reflects a broader commitment to community that has informed her media work.
Personal Life
Ojy was previously married to Austin Okpe. The couple married around 2004 and divorced in 2014. They have two children together: a son named Augustine Okpe and a daughter named Earth Okpe, both of whom are reportedly pursuing university education in the United States. Ojy has been open about being a single mother while managing a demanding career, and she speaks of her children with evident pride.
Awards and Recognition
Her recognition includes the Outstanding Africa Journalist of the Year by the Nigerian Institute of Environmental Engineers in 2024, Television Personality of the Year at the Cool Wealth Awards in 2024, and her listing among the 100 Most Influential People of 2024 by Top Charts Africa. She was also nominated for TV Personality of the Year at the 2020 ELOY Awards and co-hosted the 82nd Golden Globes Awards coverage for Arise News.
Net Worth
Ojy Okpe’s net worth is not publicly confirmed, though some estimates place it in the range of two million US dollars, drawing from her income across modelling, brand endorsements, film production, and broadcasting. These figures remain unverified and should be treated as approximations rather than established fact.
Conclusion
Ojy Okpe is one of Nigeria’s most layered media personalities. Her story arc, from modelling runways to Hollywood sets to Arise News anchor desk, is not the result of scattered choices but a deliberate pursuit of storytelling in every form available to her. She has earned credibility across industries that rarely overlap, and that gives her work a texture that is hard to replicate. Whatever platform she is on, she brings a clear sense of who she is and what she is trying to communicate, and that, in any medium, is the mark of a real broadcaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ojy Okpe?
She is a Nigerian TV anchor at Arise News, Emmy Award winner, model, and film producer from Delta State.
How old is Ojy Okpe?
She was born on April 23, 1981, making her 45 years old as of 2026.
Is Ojy Okpe married?
She was previously married to Austin Okpe. They divorced in 2014 and she is currently single.
What is Ojy Okpe known for?
She is known for hosting What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe on Arise News, her modelling career, and her Emmy-winning documentary work.
What is Ojy Okpe’s height?
She stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Ademola Olasegun is a Nigerian writer, researcher, and digital media professional with over a decade of experience creating informative content across technology, education, business, lifestyle, and public affairs. Passionate about making complex topics easy to understand, he has built a reputation for producing well-researched articles that combine accuracy, clarity, and practical value for readers. His work focuses on helping audiences stay informed through credible reporting, in-depth analysis, and engaging storytelling.
Throughout his career, Ademola has collaborated with online publications, content platforms, and independent media projects, contributing articles, research reports, and editorial content tailored to diverse audiences. With a strong commitment to fact-checking and evidence-based writing, he continuously explores emerging trends, conducts extensive research, and transforms data into accessible insights. Through his work at JustKnow, Ademola aims to provide readers with trustworthy information that empowers better decisions and promotes lifelong learning.