# Okawa Shaznay

Okawa Shaznay is a Nollywood actress from Cameroon and the first from her country to successfully break into Nollywood with her role in the blockbuster movie Iyore; starring alongside Rita Dominic and Joseph Benjamin. Okawa Shaznay has also gained more prominence with her leading role in the 2016 hit TV series Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose. She won the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) award for TV Actress of the year in 2016 for her role in Delilah.

## Early life and background

Okawa Shaznay was born in Cameroon. She began her secondary school education in Presbyterian Secondary School Mankon, Bamenda, Cameroon. Shaznay later moved to the United States, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from Texas Southern University.

## Career

She also starred in the 2016 released movie project "REFUGEES" which was filmed in Ghana in 2012 and completed in Atlanta USA towards the later months of 2013.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Cheaters 1& 2 | Clara | with Jackie Appiah & Adjetey Anang |
| 2014 | Sisters At War 1 & 2 | Ayah Ampah | with Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, & Koffi Ajorlolo. |
| 2014 | Cheaters Vacation | Tracy | with Yvonne Nelson, Eddie Watson |
| 2014 | The Prince of Barmah | Rita Nash | with Jackie Appiah, Koffi Ajorlolo & Kalsum Sinare. |
| 2015 | Scars | Gaya Lawson | with Mike Ezuruonye, Clarion Chukwurah,& Lilian Esoro. |
| 2015 | Iyore | Amenze/Onaiwu Esosa/Princess Ajoke/ | with Rita Dominic, Joseph Benjamin, Yemi Blaq, Paul Obazele, Bukky Wright. on Netflix. |
| 2016 | Refugees | Nahlela | with Belinda Effah, Yvonne Nelson. |
| 2016 | Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 1 & 2. | Delilah Ambrose | with Clarion Chukwurah, Michael Okon, Paul Obazele. |
| 2017 | Crossed Path | Melody | with Ken Erics, Frank Artus & Emem Inwang on Irokotv. |
| 2017 | Perfect Strangers | Anastasia Lawson | with Desmond Elliott, Segun Arinze, & Barbara Soky on Irokotv. |
| 2017 | Soul Tie | Grace | with Ramsey Nouah on Irokotv. |
| 2017 | Wounded | Wendy | with Desmond Elliott, Ini Edo, & Tony Umez, Padita Agu for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax. |
| 2017 | Snatched | Grace | with Michael Godson & Linda Osifo for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax. |
| 2017 | Behind the Face | Amanda | with Tony Umez & Michael Okon. |
| 2017 | Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 3. | Delilah Ambrose | with Tony Umez, Segun Arinze, Michael Okon. |
| 2018 | The Gamble | Vanessa Williams | with Eucharia Anunobi, Tony Umez & Chamberlain Okoro on Irokotv. |
| 2018 | Save My Heart | Ivory | with Seun Akindele for Africa Magic Productions. |
| 2019 | Unbroken Cord | | with Ken Erics. |
| 2019 | Love & Lies | | with Eddie Watson & Khing Bassey for Africa Magic Productions. |
| 2019 | Customer Service | Stacy | with Etinosa & Khing Bassey for Africa Magic Productions. |
| 2019 | My Chances | Jemima | with Frederick Leonard & Zack Orji for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax. |
| 2019 | In My Country | Adesua Odihi | with Sam Dede, Bimbo Manuel & Shan George on Netflix. |
| 2020 | Lekki On Arrival | Vera | with IK Ogbonna on Ibakatv. |
| 2020 | Concession | Sandra | with Uzor Arukwe & Lucy Ameh on Nevada bridge Tv. |
| 2020 | Grow Up or Nuts (Web series). | Kiki | with Efe Irele & Sophie Alakija on Youtube. |
| 2021 | Almost Had You | Ireti | with Bolanle Ninalowo on IbakaTv |
| 2022 | Chance | Pamela | with Uche Ben, Mofe Duncan, Nazo Ekezie |
| 2023 | Mend My Heart | Rukky | with Lydia Achebe, Gift Godwin, Scarlet Gomez |
| 2024 | Veronica's Ordeal | | with Roxy Antak, Paschaline Alex, Queen Akuma |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Work | Result |
| 2013 | 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Most Promising Actress | Cheaters | Nominated |
| 2014 | 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Sisters at War | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Actress of the Year (Africa) | Iyore | Nominated |
| 2016 | Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) Awards | TV Actress of the year | Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose | Won |
| 2017 | Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards | Best Actress in a series | Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose | Won |
| 2018 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | In My Country | Nominated |