Ojinika Anne Egwuenu, professionally known as Ojy Okpe, is a Nigerian television anchor, journalist, model and film producer. She was born on April 23 in Lagos, Nigeria, and is associated with Ukwani in Delta State. Public sources disagree about her birth year, although several recent biographical publications give 1981. Her official biography does not state a birth year, so the year should be treated as reported rather than independently confirmed.
Ojy was born into the family of Matthew Egwuenu, a former Nigerian Commissioner of Police, and Philomena Ngozi Egwuenu. Her childhood was influenced by her family background and experiences across Nigeria. Reports about her early years differ on some details, including the schools she attended and aspects of her family background, but established biographical sources consistently connect her to Delta State and identify Matthew and Philomena Egwuenu as her parents.
Her interest in fashion developed at an early age, partly through her mother’s involvement in fashion. Ojy later recalled being fascinated by international models and fashion magazines. At 17, she was discovered by South African talent scout Jan Malan, who encouraged her to enter the Face of Africa modelling competition. She became a finalist, an opportunity that helped launch her international modelling career.
Ojy Okpe Education
Ojy Okpe’s early education is reported differently by various online biographies. Her established interview with The Guardian Nigeria states that she attended Queensland Academy for her primary education and Rainbow College for secondary school before moving to the United States for university. Some newer sources instead list St. Bernadette Catholic School and Federal Government Girls College, Benin, illustrating why individual school details should be treated cautiously when sources conflict.
For higher education, Ojy attended St. John’s University in New York, where she studied communication/mass communication and completed a minor in Film Production. Her official and established biographical sources identify the university as an important part of her preparation for her later work in television, journalism and filmmaking.
She also studied Film Production at the New York Film Academy. Her combination of communications and film training became relevant when she transitioned from modelling into television production and journalism. Rather than limiting her career to appearing in front of cameras, she developed interests in production, documentaries and storytelling behind the camera.
Ojy Okpe Career
Ojy Okpe began her professional career in international modelling after being discovered by Jan Malan at 17. Following her appearance as a finalist in the Face of Africa competition in Ghana, she signed with Storm Model Management in Johannesburg and developed an international modelling career. She appeared in publications including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Drum and True Love, and worked on fashion productions in South Africa and internationally.
Her modelling career eventually took her to New York and other international fashion centres, where she worked with major designers and brands. Her credits have also been associated with Hollywood fashion productions including The Devil Wears Prada, Spider-Man 3 and Confessions of a Shopaholic. IMDb’s biography records her modelling work for designers including Oscar de la Renta, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana.
After studying film and production, Okpe transitioned into broadcasting and filmmaking. She joined ARISE News in 2013 as a producer in the documentary unit before moving into an anchoring role. She became associated with What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe and the Morning Show, covering entertainment, sports, politics, human-interest stories and international developments.
Beyond television, she developed her own production interests through Africa Shape, a platform dedicated to African stories. Her official biography describes her as an award-winning journalist and global television host, while her current website also features Ojy Okpe Uncut, a YouTube programme covering global events, emerging trends and human-interest stories.
Her professional recognition has included an Emmy Award as part of the production team for the documentary Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism. She has also received Nigerian media and television recognitions, although the details and naming of some awards vary across secondary biographies.
Ojy Okpe Personal Life and Family
Ojy Okpe was previously married to Austin Okpe. Public biographies report that their marriage ended in divorce in 2014. She and Austin have two children, making motherhood an important part of her personal life alongside her demanding media career.
One of her children, Ozurum Okpe, attracted public attention when he graduated from Montverde Academy in Florida, United States, in 2023. Ojy celebrated his graduation on Instagram and publicly expressed her pride in her son.
Ojy has also maintained friendships with prominent Nigerian personalities, including actress Genevieve Nnaji and international model Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi. The three have appeared together socially, including a girls’ trip documented by BellaNaija. Ojy’s late mother, Philomena Ngozi Egwuenu, has also been an important figure in her life; in a 2024 post, she explained that she gave Meghan Markle the additional name “Ngozi” in honour of her mother.
Ojy Okpe Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Ojy Okpe is Nigerian and is associated with Ukwani, Delta State. She celebrates her birthday on April 23. Several biographies list her birth year as 1981, which would make her 45 years old in 2026, but her official biography does not publish a birth year, so this age should be regarded as reported rather than definitively verified. Her height is commonly listed as 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres). She has black hair and brown eyes and is known for the tall, slender appearance associated with her former international modelling career. Some secondary sources identify her as Christian, but a detailed official statement about her denomination is not readily available.
Ojy Okpe Social Media Presence
Ojy Okpe maintains an active public presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shares aspects of her professional activities, family moments and media appearances. Her Instagram handle is @ojyokpe, and Nigerian media outlets have repeatedly embedded posts from that account when reporting on her family and professional life.
Her online presence also extends to her official website and Ojy Okpe Uncut, her YouTube programme. The programme focuses on global events, emerging trends and human stories, complementing her established television work at ARISE News.
Ojy Okpe Net Worth
Ojy Okpe’s exact net worth is not publicly verified through audited financial records. Several Nigerian entertainment and biography websites publish estimates ranging from approximately US$600,000 to US$2 million, while some sources specifically cite around US$1 million or US$2 million. These figures should therefore be regarded as online estimates rather than confirmed wealth.
Her career provides several potential sources of income. She has worked as an international fashion model, television presenter, journalist, producer and filmmaker. Her modelling career included international campaigns and runway work, while her broadcasting career has included producing and anchoring television programmes for ARISE News.
Her production work and independent media activities add further professional avenues. Through Africa Shape and her other media projects, she has continued developing African-focused storytelling and documentary production. Because neither her ARISE News salary nor her private business earnings are publicly disclosed, a precise salary-based net-worth calculation would be speculative. A cautious published range of about US$1 million–US$2 million can therefore be presented only as an estimate, not a verified financial figure.
Legacy
Ojy Okpe’s career is notable for its movement across three interconnected fields: fashion, television and film production. She began as an international model before using her education in communication and film production to establish herself in broadcasting and documentary storytelling.
Her work at ARISE News has made her particularly recognizable to Nigerian television audiences. Through What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe and her appearances on the Morning Show, she has covered subjects ranging from entertainment and sports to politics, social issues and international developments.
Her work beyond television also contributes to her public profile. Africa Shape was created around telling African stories of resilience and achievement, while the Ojy Okpe Foundation identifies education, maternal and infant health, and support for vulnerable communities among its areas of interest. These initiatives extend her work beyond broadcasting into storytelling and community-focused projects.
Conclusion
Ojy Okpe has built a diverse Nigerian media career that began with international modelling and developed into television presenting, journalism, filmmaking and documentary production. From her early modelling breakthrough after the Face of Africa competition to her work with ARISE News, Africa Shape and Ojy Okpe Uncut, she has remained active across fashion, media and storytelling. While some personal details such as her exact birth year and net worth remain inconsistently reported online, her education, international modelling background and long-running broadcasting career are well documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ojy Okpe?
Ojy Okpe, whose birth name is Ojinika Anne Egwuenu, is a Nigerian television anchor, journalist, international model and film producer. She is known for her work with ARISE News and What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe.
How old is Ojy Okpe?
Ojy Okpe celebrates her birthday on April 23. Several recent biographies list her birth year as 1981, which would make her 45 years old in 2026, although her official biography does not independently confirm the year.
Is Ojy Okpe married?
Ojy Okpe was previously married to Austin Okpe. Public biographies report that they divorced in 2014.
Does Ojy Okpe have children?
Yes. Ojy Okpe has two children. Her son Ozurum Okpe graduated from Montverde Academy in the United States in 2023.
What is Ojy Okpe known for?
She is known for her international modelling career, her work as an ARISE News television anchor, What’s Trending with Ojy Okpe, film production and documentary storytelling.
Where did Ojy Okpe go to school?
Ojy Okpe studied at St. John’s University in New York, where she studied communication and film production, and she also attended the New York Film Academy for film production.
What is Ojy Okpe’s height?
Ojy Okpe is commonly reported to be 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres) tall.
What is Ojy Okpe’s Instagram handle?
Ojy Okpe’s Instagram handle is @ojyokpe. Nigerian media reports have identified and embedded posts from that account.
What is Ojy Okpe’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly verified. Online estimates generally place it somewhere between US$1 million and US$2 million, but these figures should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.
What awards has Ojy Okpe won?
Ojy Okpe was part of the production team behind the Emmy-winning documentary ** Changers: How the Harlem Globetrotters Battled Racism **. She has also received other Nigerian media and television recognitions.