Stephanie Linus

Stephanie Linus, formerly known professionally as Stephanie Okereke, is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker known for writing, directing and producing Through the Glass and Dry. Dry received major African film awards in 2016, and her public work has included regional advocacy for the United Nations Population Fund.

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About Stephanie Linus

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Nigeria · Actress, Filmmaker, Film director

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Also known as: Stephanie Okereke, Stephanie Okereke-Linus
Known for: Nigerian film; Film directing and production; Maternal and reproductive health advocacy; Advocacy concerning gender and young people's rights
Country: Nigeria

Actress
Filmmaker
Film director
Film producer
Screenwriter

At a glance

Linus has worked as an actress, screenwriter, director and producer in Nigerian film.
Through the Glass was her filmmaking debut as writer, director and producer, premiering in Hollywood in October 2008.
Her film Dry won Best Overall Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards and Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2016.
UNFPA appointed her Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa in 2017, with documented activity through 2020.

Education and filmmaking

Linus studied English and Literary Studies at the University of Calabar and later trained at New York Film Academy. She expanded from acting into writing, directing and producing with Through the Glass, which premiered in Hollywood in October 2008 and opened in Nigerian cinemas the following year.

Dry and film recognition

Linus wrote, directed and produced Dry, a film addressing child marriage and fistula. In 2016, it won Best Overall Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards and Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Public advocacy

UNFPA appointed Linus Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa in 2017. In that work, she advocated on maternal and reproductive health, gender, and the rights and potential of young people; UNFPA also reported fistula-related work by her Extended Hands foundation. Official material documents ambassadorial activity through 2020 but does not establish whether the appointment remained active as of August 2026.

Honours and public standing

Linus holds the Nigerian national honour Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. Her public profile combines work in Nigerian film with advocacy concerning maternal and reproductive health, gender and young people's rights.

Timeline

2002 Placed second runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest.
2008-10 Through the Glass, her filmmaking debut as writer, director and producer, premiered in Hollywood.
2016 Dry won Best Overall Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards and Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
2017-03-08 UNFPA appointed her Regional Ambassador for West and Central Africa.

Additional verified details

Current context

UNFPA Nigeria reported that Linus carried out duties as a regional ambassador during the period from 2017 through 2020. The report confirms activity through 2020 but does not establish whether the appointment remained active as of 2026-08-22.

Biographical facts

She studied English and Literary Studies at the University of Calabar.
She trained at New York Film Academy and is identified by the institution as a graduate of its film school.
Through the Glass was her filmmaking debut as writer, director and producer; it premiered in Hollywood in October 2008 and opened in Nigerian cinemas in 2009.
She wrote, directed and produced Dry, a film addressing child marriage and fistula.
She holds the Nigerian national honour Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.
Her UNFPA regional-ambassador work addressed maternal and reproductive health, gender, and young people's rights and potential.
UNFPA reported that her Extended Hands foundation had undertaken work related to fistula.