Biography

Kenneth Okonkwo: Biography, Education, Career, Marriages, Net Worth, Achievements and Controversy

Published

2 years ago

2022/10/13

Sub-editor

By Balogun Kamilu Lekan

Biography

Kenneth Okonkwo is an actor, movie producer, director, politician and legal practitioner.

He was born on November 6th 1968, in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria, to Mr Ozioko Francis Okonkwo and Mrs Beatrice Okonkwo.

Kenneth is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most influential actors. He has been featured in more than 200 movies.

Education

After his elementary and secondary education, Kenneth headed to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

He later proceeded to the University of Lago for a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy. He was then called to the Nigerian bar afterwards.

Kenneth also has a certificate in Theology at the Nigerian Bible School and was trained as a bible scholar and Minister of God.

Career

Kenneth started his career as an actor in 1991. After attending several auditions, he got his opportunity to feature in his first big project, “Living in Bondage”, which brought him to prominence.

He has since appeared in numerous other movies, making him a household name. Arguably, he is one of Nigeria’s most talented and versatile actors.

His featured movies include Living in Bondage, Ripple, Dumebi, Silent King, World Apart, Helplessly in Love with My Wife, Royal Secret, Billionaires Club, The Power of Money, and Husband Material, amongst others.

Kenneth has had the privilege of sharing the big screen with several other top Nollywood actors like Patience Ozokwor, Mercy Johnson, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie, Tonto Dikeh, Stephanie Linus, Ramsey Noah, Norbert Young, Monalisa Chinda, Van Vicker, Ashley Nwosu, Enebeli Elebuwa, Nkem Owoh, Chioma Okpotha, Omoni Oboli, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and Uche Jumbo, among others.

He started his political career in 2014 when he contested for the House of Representatives member seat to represent Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He later expressed his desire to run for the gubernatorial seat of Enugu State under the All People’s Congress (APC) in 2019.

In 2022, Kenneth decamped to the Labour party to show his displeasure to the All Progressive Congress for presenting a Muslim presidential and vice presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Marriage

Kenneth married Ogechi Ezekiel before they divorced in 2002 due to an unresolved misunderstanding.

He later married Ifeoma Okonkwo in 2017, and they have a son together.

Net worth

Kenneth is reportedly one of the wealthiest Nollywood actors, with a net worth valued at $5 million, However, NewsWireNgr cannot independently verify it.

Achievements

Kenneth Okonkwo is a recipient of a national award, the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)

Kenneth Okonkwo has received numerous accolades, including Best Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Most Prominent Actor in Nigeria at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the City People Entertainment Awards.

Filmography

Living in Bondage
The British Expert
iBelieve
Wives On Strike: The Revolution
16th Anniversary
Wives on Strike
Amanda my Village Wife
41Love
Heart of a Saint
Just in Case
Heart of a Widow
Royal King
Weeping Soul
King of Kings
Final Tussle
Kingdom of Men
The Return of Ogidi
666 (Beware the End Is at Hand)
African Soldier
Divine Grace
Greatness
Sins of the Heart
The Last Tradition
The Revelation
The Signs of End Time
The Trinity
Titanic Tussle
Trumpet of Death
Village Destroyers
Across the River
52. Angel in Hell 2006
Explosion: Now or Never
My Promise
Sacred Blood
The Biggest Boy in Town
The Devil in Her
The Golden Fish
The Hard Solution
End of Money
Windfall
A Million Madness
Beyond Reason
Government House
Inheritance
My Desire
Treasure
World Apart
Naomi
To Love a Thief
Holy Ghost Fire
The Suitors
Oganigwe
Living in Bondage

Controversy

Kenneth resigned as a member of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) membership over its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 general election.

He said resigned his membership in the interest of equity, justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

Kenneth announced on his official Instagram page that APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket would permanently destroy the political viability of Christians in the north of Nigeria if allowed to stand.

He said: “These ideals are now alien to the APC, with their unfortunate decision to paint our Muslim brothers in lousy light by insinuating that the Muslims in Nigeria will not accept or vote for a Northern Christian as Vice-President to pair with a Southern Muslim. If Muslims could vote voluntarily for Southern Christian Presidents, it is a fallacy to insinuate that they cannot accept Northern Christian Vice-President.