Mercy Johnson is a renowned Nollywood actress known for her movies like ‘Dumebi the Dirty Girl’and ‘The Maid’. To know more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline read on the following biography
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| Mercy Johnson Okojie |
Princess Mercy Johnson Okojie is a beloved Nigerian actress. The Nollywood actress has starred in quite an impressively long list of films. Directors are always sending her scripts. It is even rumored that she receives scripts from American directors. Her kind-hearted nature and strong faith make her an excellent role model for young Nigerian girls. She is adored by many. She balances a strong acting career with a happy family life. She made headlines when she was seen with her daughter, Purity, riding the train in Lagos. The train is considered to be a means of transportation not suitable for the very rich.
When she experienced car trouble, she didn’t think twice about hopping a train with the “ordinary people”. This is greatly due to her own humble beginnings right there in Lagos. When questioned, she simply said they are her people. She confessed she rather enjoyed getting close with the people who may not have had access to her, otherwise. This is not the only time she has found herself making headlines.
She often times has found herself surrounded with a lot of controversy. Her life has been the topic of
many rumors. Here are some other things you may not know about this adored star.
Childhood & Early Life:
Mercy Johnson was born on August 28, 1984 in Lagos, Nigeria. When she was 2 years old, her
military father left her mother, and he took Mercy with to live with him.
She is the middle child of 7 children. She has 3 older sisters and 3 younger brothers. Growing up,
she was very close with all of them.
She attended primary school in Calabar and Lagos, Secondary school in ‘Rivers State
Secondary’ and ‘Nigerian Navy Secondary School’, both in Port Harcourt, River State. She
failed her ‘University Matriculation Examination’ (UMF), which led her to embark on a career
in acting.
She grew up poverty stricken. There were times that she skipped school to hawk drinking water
amongst other wares in order to help support her family. She even worked as a maid at one time.
At one time, her family shared a home with lizards living in an incomplete building with holes in
the roof and no plaster on the walls or floor.
Career:
After failing her university exam, Mercy Johnson asked a friend to help her get into the film
industry. She says it took more than a year for her to get a call back.
In 2004, she began her career with the lead role in a film titled ‘The Maid’. For this role, she
played a possessed housemaid. She went on to release three more movies that year.
She released a half a dozen movies in 2005. During the course of the following three years, she
released almost one hundred movies.
In 2009, when she realized that things were becoming serious with Prince Odi, she stopped
accepting romantic roles. He was uncomfortable with them, and she was so in love with him that
she did not hesitate to give them up. She also made a reduction in her number of nude scenes.
She has appeared in more than 150 movies to date. Many of which have been major hits in the
box office. Though she plans on starring in many more, since 2009 she has only released a
handful of movies.
In November of 2013, she was banned from acting in Nollywood after film directors decided that
her demands had become too high, and she was too pricey. The ban was lifted in May, the following year.
Her most recent film is ‘Thy Will Be Done’, which was released in February 2015.
Major Works:
After landing the leading role in her first film, Mercy Johnson rose to stardom at a rapid rate. She
is one of the most sought after actresses in Nollywood.
Awards & Achievements:
In 2009 she won the ‘African Film Award for Best Supporting Actress’.
In 2013, she won Best Actress at the ‘Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards’ for her role in
‘Dumebi the Dirty Girl’.
Personal Life & Legacy:
Mercy Johnson was married to her husband Edo Prince husband, Prince Odianosen Okojie in her
family home in a traditional Edo ceremony dressed in symbolic garments. The ceremony was
performed at her family home in Oke Adan, Gospel Village, Iyano, Isashi, Okoko, Lagos State
on August 27, 2011.
She wed Prince Odi amidst scandal when a woman, Lovely Okojie, came forward insisting that
he was still married to her. Prince Odi maintained that they were never legally married, but rather
his parents had represented him in a traditional ceremony so that his children could be
recognized as legitimate.
She gave birth to a daughter, Purity Ozioma Okojie, at an undisclosed hospital in the United
States on December 30, 2012. The name Purity was given to her by her father. He says he chose
her name because of his wife’s wonderful qualities.
Their son, Henry Ozioma Okojie, was born on October 15, 2014. He was born in Baltimore,
Maryland.
She founded the ‘Mercy Johnson Foundation’ to help impoverished children and widows. She
herself donates to the fund regularly.
Net Worth:
Mercy Johnson is one of the highest paid actresses in Nigeria. She grosses between 1.8 and 2
million Naira per film, amassing a net worth of approximately 55 million Naira.
Trivia:
This famous personality collects wrist watches. She says she loves them and is never without
one.
Her husband does not watch her movies. He prefers to watch the news, and when time allows
will also enjoy watching soccer.
Filmography:
Mercy Johnson Okojie, an inspirational actress, has
acted in more than 100 movies since joining the industry and is still at work
with both producing/directing and starring in phenomenal films.
| Year | Film | Character | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Maid | Jane | I & II With Clem Ohameze,and Eucharia Anunobi | ||||
| Into Temptation | With Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, and J.T. Tom West | ||||||
| House Party | With Olu Jacobs, Jim Lawson, Zack Orji, and Emeka Rollas... | ||||||
| 2005 | Women in Power | Julia | I & II With Olu Jacobs, Liz Benson and Patience Ozokwor | ||||
| Lost to Lust | Esther | I & II with Monalisa Chinda and Yemi Blaq | |||||
| Kill the Bride | Love | I & II with Rita Dominic and Mike Ezuruonye | |||||
| 2006 | Under the Sky | Supriya | I & II with Ramsey Nouah and Mike Ezuruonye | ||||
| Under Control | Eve | I & II With Nonso Diobi, Yul Edochie, Chinenye Nnebe, and Gentle Jack | |||||
| Thanksgiving | Gift | I & II with Clem Ohameze and Eucharia Anunobi | |||||
| Sweet Mama | Viola | I & II With John Okafor and Patience Ozokwor | |||||
| Dear Mama | Viola | I & II With John Okafor and Patience Ozokwor | |||||
| Pay Day | With Mike Ezuruonye | ||||||
| Painful World | Anny | I & II With Desmond Elliot, Chioma Chukwuka, Ashley Nwosu, Benedict Johnson | |||||
| One-Bullet | Juliet | I & II With Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Justice Esiri, and Kelvin Ikeduba | |||||
| Oath of a Priest | Kate | With Benedict Johnson and Jim Lawson | |||||
| Married to the Enemy | Vera | With Desmond Elliot And Ini Edo | |||||
| Last Kiss | With Emeka Ike, Ini Edo, Ejike Asiegbu, and Florence Onuma | ||||||
| Endless Night | with Ashley Nwosu, Benedict Johnson, and Robert Peters | ||||||
| Emotional Blunder | Yvone | I & II With Clem Ohameze, Eucharia Anunobi, and Fred Aserome | |||||
| 19 Macaulay Street | With Tony Umez and Eucharia Anunobi | ||||||
| 2007 | Wealth Aside | With Nonso Diobi, Jim Lawson, and Yvonne Jegede | |||||
| Twist of Fate | Buchi | With Desmond Elliot and Eucharia Anunobi | |||||
| The Scorpion God | Ihuoma | With Sam Dede, and Ikem Chude | |||||
| The Last Tradition | With Kenneth Okonkwo, and Chiwetalu Agu | ||||||
| Take Me Home | Loveth | With Desmond Elliot and Chiege Alisigwe | |||||
| Look Into My Eyes | Loveth | With Desmond Elliot and Chiege Alisigwe | |||||
| Sunny My Son | Juliet | With Nonso Diobi, Benedict Johnson, Yul Edochie and Pete Edochie | |||||
| My Beloved Son | Juliet | With Nonso Diobi, Benedict Johnson, Yul Edochie, and Pete Edochie | |||||
| She is My Sister | Nancy | I & II With Steven Kanumba and Nkiru Sylvanus | |||||
| Power of Justice | Nkechi | With Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Nonso Diobi, Queen Nwokoye | |||||
| Kolomental | Anna | With Moses Armstrong | |||||
| Keziah | Keziah | I & IV With John Okafor, John Dumelo, MC Smith Ochendo, Eve Esin, and Adaora Ukoh | |||||
| Genevieve | Example | ||||||
| Evil Agenda | Diane | I & II With Pete Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, Dauda Ogbonna, JohnPaul Nwadike | |||||
| Desperate Ladies | Annabel | I & II With Chioma Chukwuka, Oge Okoye, Nonso Diobi, Solomon Akiyesi, and Fred Aseroma | |||||
| Crisis in Paradise | Kella | I & II With Kalu Ikeagwu, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye, and Tonto Dikeh | |||||
| Breath of Anger | Chiaku | with Mike Ezuruonye, and Tchidi Chikere | |||||
| Area Mama | Adanne | With Patience Ozokwor and Eucharia Anunobi | |||||
| Tiger King | Akwaugo | with Nonso Diobi, Chinwe Owoh and Pete Edochie | |||||
| 2008 | The Gods Are Wise | Adaugo | with Nonso Diobi | ||||
| Temple of Justice | Nkechi | with Nonso Diobi and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde | |||||
| Tell Me Why | Jovita | With Tony Umez, Ngozi Ezeonu, and Benedict Johnson | |||||
| Soul Of A Maiden | Nuria | with Ini Edo and Mike Ezuruonye | |||||
| Strength to Strength | Jane | I & II with Patience Ozokwor, Mike Ezuruonye and Tonto Dikeh | |||||
| Sin No More | Bridget | I & II with Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwor and Halima Abubakar | |||||
| Live to Remember | Buchi | I & II with Ini Edo and Mike Ezuruonye | |||||
| Kiss My Pain | Mai | With Mike Ezuruonye And Yul Edochie | |||||
| 2008 | Forest of Promises | Police Inspector Bisi | I & II with Mike Ezuruonye, and Charles Okafor | ||||
| 2008 | Don't Wanna Be a Player | Monalisa | I & II with Ini Edo, Jim Iyke and Mike Ezuruonye | ||||
| 2008 | Corporate Maid | Rose | I & II With Oge Okoye, Van Vicker, Ngozi Ezeonu | ||||
| 2008 | Act of Faith | Uche | I & II with Patience Ozokwor and Mike Ezuruonye | ||||
| 2009 | Tears of Hope | Olamma | I & II with Olu Jacobs, Van Vicker and Ngozi Ezeonu | ||||
| 2009 | Royal Tears | Olamma | I & II with Olu Jacobs, Van Vicker and Ngozi Ezeonu | ||||
| 2009 | Sound of Pain | Amarachi | I & II With Van Vicker, Olu Jacobs, and Clarion Chukwura, | ||||
| 2009 | Guilty Pleasure | Boma | I & II With Desmond Elliot, Ramsey Nouah, Nse Ikpe‑Etim, Majid Michel,and Omoni Oboli | ||||
| 2009 | Sexy Girls | Zita | with Nonso Diobi, Onny Michaels, Uche Ogbodo | ||||
| 2009 | Heat of the Moment | Anna | with Emeka Ike, Kofi Adjorlolo, and Vitalis Ndubuisi | ||||
| 2009 | Entanglement | Chidera | I - IV with Uche Jombo, Desmond Elliot and Yemi Blaq | ||||
| 2009 | Clash of Twins | Mildred / Melisa | I & II With Mike Ezuruonye and Rama Brew | ||||
| 2009 | Beyond Desire | Anne | with Nonso Diobi | ||||
| 2009 | A Weeping Soul | ||||||
| 2010 | A Cry for Justice | Ella | I & II With Mike Ezuruonye, Jackie Appiah, Chacha Eke | ||||
| 2011 | White Chapel | Judith | With Van Vicker and Nkem Owoh | ||||
| 2011 | Where Money Sleep | Egede | With Frank Artus, Rita Dominic, and Nuella Njubigbo | ||||
| 2011 | Weeping Soul | Grace | I & II With Kenneth Okonkwo, Mike Godson, and Vitalis Ndubuisi | ||||
| 2011 | The Seekers | Judith | I & II With Olu Jacobs, Chika Ike, Annie Idibia, Halima Abubakar, Rukky Sanda | ||||
| 2011 | The Code | Susan | With Muna Obiekwe, and Angela Okorie | ||||
| 2011 | Secret Code | Susan | With Muna Obiekwe and Angela Okorie | ||||
| 2011 | Thanks for Coming | Frieda | With Yul Edochie and Angela Okorie | ||||
| 2011 | Gallant Babes | Frieda | With Yul Edochie and Angela Okorie | ||||
| 2011 | Mirror of Life | Nneka | I & II With John Dumelo, Queen Nwokoye | ||||
| 2011 | End of Mirror of Life | Nneka | I & II With John Dumelo, Queen Nwokoye | ||||
| 2011 | Jewels of the Sun | Nneka | I & II With Mike Ezuruonye, Emeka Ike, Browny Igboegwu | ||||
| 2011 | Heart of a Widow | June | I & II With Frank Artus, Kenneth Okonkwo, and Angela Okorie | ||||
| 2011 | Heart of a Fighter | Dubem | I &II With Ruth Kadiri, Ramsey Nouah, Enebeli Elebuwa | ||||
| 2011 | Painful Victory | Chinenye | I & II With Ken Erics, Ngozi Ezeonu, Vitalis Ndubusi, and Chinwe Owoh | ||||
| 2012 | World of the Mind | Example | With Yul Edochie and Patience Ozokwor | ||||
| 2012 | My World | Nancy | With Yul Edochie and Patience Ozokwor | ||||
| 2012 | Mercy the Bus Driver | Ada | With Ruth Kadiri, Prince Eke, Oge Okoye | ||||
| 2012 | Heart of a Saint | Chidi | I &II With Kenneth Okonkwo | ||||
| 2012 | Sins of the Past | Wendy | I & II With Frank Artus, and Mary Remmy Njoku | ||||
| 2012 | Hand of Fate | Wendy | I & II With Frank Artus and Mary Remmy Njoku | ||||
| 2012 | Brave Mind | Wendy | I & II With Frank Artus and Mary Remmy Njoku | ||||
| 2012 | Deep Water | Erica | I & II With Yul Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, and Eve Esin | ||||
| 2012 | The Enemy I See | Erica | I & II With Yul Edochie, Patience Ozokwor, and Eve Esin | ||||
| 2012 | Power Of A Kiss | Sherry | I & II With Jim Iyke, Olu Jacobs, John Dumelo | ||||
| 2013 | Baby Oku In America | Baby Oku | I & II With Chet Anekwe, and Uche Ebere | ||||
| 2014 | Hustlers | Vicky | |||||
| 2014 | Bloody Ring | ||||||
| 2015 | Thy Will Be Done | Lucy | With Ramsey Nouah and Mary Remmy Njoku | ||||
| 2016 | Light Will Come | With Majid Michel, Shaffy Bello, and Afeez Oyetoro | |||||
| 2017 | 16th Anniversary | With Tony Umez, Eucharia Anunobi, and Jemima Osunde | |||||
| 2018 | Seven & A Half Dates | Bisola | With Toyin Aimakhu, Ali Nuhu, Ken Erics, Jim Iyke, Sola Sobawale, and Akin Lewis | 2019 | Mmasi: The Arrogant Preacher | With Chiwetalu Agu |
Awards
and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5th Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Live To Remember | Won |
| 2009 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won | ||
| 2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Herself | Nominated | |
| 2010 | 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Maidens | Nominated |
| 2010 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress -West Collaboration | Shakira | Nominated | |
| 2011 | 2011 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Heart of a Widow | Nominated |
| 2011 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Africa Collaboration | My Husband's Funeral | Nominated | |
| 2012 | 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress In Leading Role | Weeping Soul | Won |
| 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Facebook Babes | Nominated | |
| 2012 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress Africa Collaboration | Wild Target | Nominated | |
| 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Actress- Viewers Choice | Herself | Nominated | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress In Leading Role | Dumebi | Nominated |
| 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress in Comedy | Dumebi The Dirty Girl | Won | |
| 2014 | 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Hustlers | Nominated |
| 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Comedic Act | Hustlers | Nominated | |
| Best Actress -Viewers Choice | Herself | Nominated | ||
| 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Lead Actress | Hustlers | Nominated | |
| Popular Choice-Female | Herself | Won | ||
| 2015 | 2015 Ghana Movie Awards | Best Actress -Africa Collaboration | 30 Days in Atlanta | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 Eloy Awards | Actress Of The Year | Seven & A Half Dates | Won |
Source/references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy_Johnson
www.thefamouspeople.com
https://www.bellanaija.com/2013/03/otelo-burning-wins-the-best-movie-award-view-all-the-winners-from-the-2013-africa-magic-viewers-choice-awards/
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