Okechukwu Oku, also known as Okey Oku and nicknamed "The Oracle", is a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, and occasional musician. He is best known for directing the movies Love and Oil (2014), Burning Bridges (2014), and Bambitious (2014), which featured Belinda Effah and Daniel K. Daniel.
Early Life
Oku was born in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria. He is the second of eleven children of Goddy and Winifred Oku and is of Igbo descent, originally from Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State. His father, Goddy Oku, was a popular Nigerian musician in the 1970s, while his mother, Winifred Oku, is a retired civil servant. His younger brother, Udoka 'Selebobo' Oku, is a well-known music producer and singer.
Oku attended WTC Primary School, Enugu, and later St. Charles Special Science School, Onitsha. He began his university education but left midway to pursue his passion in the arts, particularly music and cinematography.
Career
Music and Video Production
Oku began his career in 2001, directing music videos for southeastern Nigerian musicians. His notable works include:
- Lee Lee – Resonance
- Ada Ada – Flavour N'abania
- Yoyo – Selebobo
His passion for cinematography led him to transition into film production in 2011.
Film Production and Direction
Oku worked extensively as a cinematographer and film editor on several African films before becoming a feature film director and producer. His film credits include:
As Cinematographer/Editor:
- The Great Niger Mission (2011)
- Brother's Keeper (2012)
- Jafaar (2012)
- Reflection (2012, Sierra Leone)
- Last 3 Digits (2012)
- Refugee (2013, Ghana)
- The Duplex (2013)
As Director/Producer:
- Love and Oil (2014)
- Burning Bridges (2014)
- The Bible (2014)
- The Boss is Mine (2016)
- Black Rose (2016, released 2018)
- Bambitious (2014)
His cinematography and editing work on Brother's Keeper earned him nominations at the 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards and the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards.
Awards and Recognition
In 2015, Oku received multiple awards at the Afrifimo Awards and Film/Music Festival, including:
- Best Film Director
- Best Cinematographer
- Best Video Editor
His film Bambitious won:
- Best Independent Film
- Best Romance
In 2015, he was also nominated for Best Cinematographer for a Movie or TV Series at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) for The Refugees.
Personal Life
Okechukwu Oku is married to Queendalyn Oku. The couple has three children and lives in Enugu, Nigeria.
Filmography
Feature Films
- Love and Oil (2014)
- Burning Bridges (2014)
- The Bible (2014)
- Bambitious (2014)
- The Boss is Mine (2016)
- Black Rose (2016, released 2018)
- Brother's Keeper (2012)
- The Refugees (2013)
Music Videos
- Lee Lee – Resonance
- Ada Ada – Flavour N'abania
- Yoyo – Selebobo