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 Awards for TV Actress of the year in 2016 for her role in Delilah. In April 2026, she was honored with a star on the Cameroon Wall of Fame in recognition of her contribution to African cinema.
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
Some of her notable work includes the 2016 film Refugees, in which she starred alongside Yvonne Nelson and Belinda Effah. In 2019, she starred in In My Country directed by Frank Rajah Arase with Sam Dede and Bimbo Manuel. The film received international distribution on Netflix, and she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance. She also starred in the 2021 Zuri 24 Media production Movement Japa alongside Gideon Okeke and Sambasa Nzeribe, which aired on Showmax and Africa Magic. In 2025, she starred as the title character in the fantasy film Tarella, directed by Kayode Kasum and Lolo Eremie, alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, and Elvina Ibru. The film was released in Nigerian cinemas in February 2025. In April 2026, Shaznay was honored with a star on the Cameroon Wall of Fame during the 10th edition of the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF), recognizing her contribution to African cinema as a Cameroonian actress. The induction took place on 25 April 2026 in Buea, Cameroon
Filmography (selected)
Year Film Role Notes2013Cheaters 1& 2Clarawith Jackie Appiah & Adjetey Anang 2014Sisters At War 1 & 2Ayah Ampahwith Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, & Koffi Ajorlolo.Cheaters VacationTracywith Yvonne Nelson, Eddie WatsonThe Prince of BarmahRita Nashwith Jackie Appiah, Koffi Ajorlolo & Kalsum Sinare.2015ScarsGaya Lawsonwith Mike Ezuruonye, Clarion Chukwurah,& Lilian Esoro.IyoreAmenze/Onaiwu Esosa/Princess Ajoke/with Rita Dominic, Joseph Benjamin, Yemi Blaq, Paul Obazele, Bukky Wright. on Netflix.2016RefugeesNahlelawith Belinda Effah, Yvonne Nelson.Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 1 & 2.Delilah Ambrosewith Clarion Chukwurah, Michael Okon, Paul Obazele on Africa Magic2017Crossed PathMelodywith Ken Erics, Frank Artus & Emem Inwang on Irokotv.Perfect StrangersAnastasia Lawsonwith Desmond Elliott, Segun Arinze, & Barbara Soky on Irokotv.Soul TieGracewith Ramsey Nouah on Irokotv.WoundedWendywith Desmond Elliott, Ini Edo, & Tony Umez, Padita Agu for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax.SnatchedGracewith Michael Godson & Linda Osifo for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax.Behind the FaceAmanda with Tony Umez & Michael Okon. Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 3.Delilah Ambrosewith Tony Umez, Segun Arinze, Michael Okon.2018The GambleVanessa Williamswith Eucharia Anunobi, Tony Umez & Chamberlain Okoro on Irokotv.2018Save My HeartIvorywith Seun Akindele for Africa Magic Productions.2019Unbroken Cordwith Ken Erics.Love & Lieswith Eddie Watson & Khing Bassey for Africa Magic Productions.Customer ServiceStacywith Etinosa & Khing Bassey for Africa Magic Productions.My ChancesJemimawith Frederick Leonard & Zack Orji for Africa Magic Productions & on Showmax.In My CountryAdesua Odihiwith Sam Dede, Bimbo Manuel & Shan George on Netflix.2020Lekki On ArrivalVerawith IK Ogbonna on Ibakatv.ConcessionSandrawith Uzor Arukwe & Lucy Ameh on Nevada bridge Tv.Grow Up or Nuts (Web series).Kikiwith Efe Irele & Sophie Alakija on YouTube.2021Almost Had YouIretiwith Bolanle Ninalowo on Ibakatv Movement-JapaMimiwith Sambassa Nzeribe, Gideon Okeke on Showmax2022Engelwith Melvin Oduah, Stephen Damian on Rok StudiosLove Happenedwith Ujams Chukwunonso on Ruth Kadiri 247 YouTube2023The Secretwith Maurice Sam on YouTubeAnother Day to Lovewith Bryan Okwara on Uchenna Mbunabo TV YouTube.Let's PlayAndreawith Deza The Great on Ruth Kadiri 247 YouTube.Love To Hate Youwith Ben Touitou and Stephania Bassey on YouTube.Love BoundariesAlorawith Deza The Great on YouTube.2024Activated Passionwith Chike Daniels and Anthony Woode on Uche Nancy TV YouTubeStubborn ManSuzywith Deza The Great on YouTube.Wife Materialwith Deza The Great on Nolly Family TV YouTube.Breathe on MeAkumwith Eddie Watson and Genevieve Ukatu on Ruth Kadiri 247 YouTube.A Special Kind Of LoveLucywith Maurice Sam on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.Fire HeartsCyndywith Maurice Sam on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.JackpotVickywith Uzor Arukwe and Sarian Martin on Ruth Kadiri 247 YouTube.2025TarellaTarellawith Timini Egbuson, Richard Mofe Damijo, Gideon Okeke across Nigerian Cinemas.Moving Onwith Jide Kene on Chinedu Benjamin YouTubeBlood Crywith Chris Okagbue and Victory Micahel on Awele Hansel TV YouTube.Loud Silencewith Maurice Sam on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.Eligible BachelorsHawawith Maurice Sam and Van Vicker on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.Locked InTiaraoluwawith John Ekanem on Omoni Oboli TV YouTube.In Every LifetimeNailahwith Daniel Etim Effiong and Ego Nwosu on Ego Nwosu TV YouTube.2026Half In Halfwith Maurice Sam and Michelle Oluwafemi on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.Split IntentionsIfeomawith Daniel Etim Effiong and Stephanie Tum on Stephanie Tum TV YouTubeGreylinewith Teddy A and Micahel Ejoor on Grip TV YouTube.My Sweet Painwith Patience Ozokwor and Qwaisi Blay on YouTube.Behind These Laughswith Maurice Sam and Real Judy on Maurice Sam TV YouTube.Mummy G.ONdantiwith Stan Nze, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Blessing Obasi Nze on Love Story Media YouTube.
Awards and nominations
YearEventPrizeWorkResult20132013 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsMost Promising Actress Cheaters20142014 Golden Icons Academy Movie AwardsBest Supporting ActressSisters at War20152015 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsActress of the Year (Africa)Iyore2016ELOY AwardsTV Actress of the yearDelilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose2017Nollywood and African Film Critics AwardsBest Actress in a seriesDelilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose2018Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)Best Actress in a Leading RoleIn My Country2026Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF)Star on the Cameroon Wall of FameActing CareerHonored
References
External links
The emerging faces of Nollywood . IrokoTv Okawa Shaznay shines bright in Iyore . IrokoTv refugees movie cast. SpyGhana. Dulce Camer's top 50 list . Dulce Camer. Cheaters movie. Bella Naija