Stephanie Linus: An Advocate of Maternal Health
For Nollywood’s stylish actress and filmmaker, Stephanie Linus, maternal health is not just a cause, it’s a personal mission. Through her platform and various collaborations with research institutes and global health organisations, the actress is tackling systemic health issues in Africa, with a special focus on improving maternal health outcomes. Vanessa Obioha reports on her efforts in the healthcare space from a recent encounter with the Nollywood icon
stephanie Linus’ household was in a lively mood on a recent Wednesday morning when I visited. The family had just returned from the U.S., and a few friends stopped by to say hello. Stephanie, exuding charm and grace, effortlessly glided from one living room to the next, clad in a chic black crop top and flowing skirt. She seamlessly juggled her hosting duties, sharing wedding tips with a couple and checking in on a younger friend while her eldest son immersed himself in a chess lesson. The room buzzed with camaraderie, the infectious laughter creating an atmosphere of undeniable warmth and joy.
But behind Stephanie’s radiant smile lies a mission for global health advocacy, a commitment she has embraced since the release of her award-winning film, ‘Dry,’ in 2015, leading her to become a UNFPA Regional Ambassador on Maternal Health for West and Central Africa.
The film’s poignant narrative sheds light on the plight of young girls like her main character, Halima, a child bride who suffered from vesicovaginal fistula due to prolonged obstetric labour.
Vesicovaginal fistula is a condition characterised by an abnormal opening between the vagina and the bladder or rectum, which results in continuous leakage of urine or stool.The condition is still prevalent in many African communities, including Nigeria.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Strategic Framework for the Elimination of Obstetric Fistula (2019-2023), about 150,000 women are living with fistula in Nigeria, a disproportionate 7.5% of the global burden, and about 12,000 new cases of fistula are added each year.
This worrying trend led Stephanie, a prolific actress and filmmaker, to take her message of maternal healthcare from local villages to the global stage, including Gambia where her campaign led to the banning of child marriage. Through her foundation, Extended Hands, she has provided vital support for fistula surgeries and upgraded hospital facilities.
Maternal health is not just a cause for Stephanie—it’s a personal mission. In our conversation, her voice carried a palpable urgency as she spoke about a friend’s preventable death during childbirth.
“It’s crucial to echo the message that no woman should lose her life while giving birth,” she asserted. “The tragedy I witnessed was due to clear mismanagement. A proper medical response could have saved her. There was no way the woman could have died if the doctors managed her situation properly. There was no ambulance to move her to a more equipped hospital, and when they finally got one, the ambulance team said they had no fuel. So when you listen to the different stages of what people go through, especially during healthcare crises, you know our survival is mainly by God’s grace.”
These harrowing experiences made her more determined to improve healthcare across Africa. “While healthcare systems globally face challenges, ours are compounded by inadequate facilities and a shortage of skilled professionals needed for critical care,” she said. “This reality fuels my drive to advocate relentlessly so that our healthcare outcomes can fundamentally change.”
Since she started advocating for global health, Stephanie has been working with research institutes and global health organisations to find practical solutions for women’s and girls’ health in Africa. She’s been using her platform to address systemic health problems, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including educational institutions, committees, policymakers, and cultural custodians to make global health better. She’s especially focused on improving maternal health outcomes and ensuring tangible progress is made.
The actress is very keen on making healthcare policies and practices better globally, so everyone can get the care they need, showing how important it is to have good healthcare facilities, training, and access to services to reduce Nigeria’s maternal mortality rates.
Recently, she achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Black recipient of Thomas Jefferson University’s Lennon K. Black International Prize for Excellence in Medicine. This prestigious award acknowledged her exceptional contributions to social activism and her pioneering efforts in advancing women’s health and rights.
Even though her interest in healthcare started during her university days, Stephanie’s first real experience with Nigeria’s healthcare issues happened during a trip to the Africa Movie Academy Awards in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in 2005. She suffered severe injuries in a serious car accident, sustaining burns and a broken leg.
“After the accident, I found that people were initially reluctant to help, deterred by a cultural fear of being implicated legally or arrested,” she revealed.
Fortunately, the timely intervention of three compassionate individuals ensured she received immediate and effective assistance. She was swiftly transported to a well-equipped hospital in the city, where she could receive the care she urgently needed.
“Had they taken me to a lesser facility, I might not have survived,” she reflected.
Unfortunately, her initial leg surgery failed, setting her on a long path toward recovery.
After numerous surgeries and treatments that subsequently failed, Stephanie finally found success with a corrective surgery at a hospital in South Africa.
“My experiences shed light on the layers of challenges within our healthcare system, highlighting our collective vulnerability, regardless of status,” she said. “It’s clear we have the potential to elevate our healthcare standards. We boast of Nigerian doctors excelling globally and at home. However, the ongoing issues across all sectors in Nigeria are formidable, yet not insurmountable. We possess unique strengths as a people; it’s crucial we harness these to foster improvement.”
She continued: “We must press for more action: from government interventions that alleviate these conditions to medical professionals continuously upgrading their practices and adhering to strict guidelines. Moreover, it’s essential for us as citizens to actively seek out and utilise the healthcare services available to us.”
Stephanie often envisioned a future where all Nigerians have access to safe, effective healthcare. She strongly believes that improving healthcare infrastructure and standards will not only save lives but provide a compelling reason for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home more frequently.
“Majority of the scare is healthcare. If something happens to me, will there be an immediate response that will save me?”
At times, she grappled with questions about the value placed on Nigerian lives when the healthcare system fails to function as it should. The inadequacies and challenges within the system weigh heavily on her conscience, prompting reflections on the fundamental rights and dignity owed to every individual, regardless of their circumstances.
For now, she is focused on improving maternal healthcare in Nigeria with plans to expand healthcare centres and establish global partnerships to enhance the expertise of Nigerian medical professionals.
Beyond her advocacy for maternal health, Stephanie is also deeply committed to combating gender-based violence.
“I worked with the Ford Foundation on a series of gender-based violence campaigns across secondary schools in Lagos. We organised debates and educational sessions where we taught young girls and boys about gender and sexual violence, their reproductive rights, and the importance of consent, as well as the legal consequences of violating these rights,” she explained.
She commended Lagos State for its proactive measures against gender-based violence and expressed hope that other states would adopt these initiatives to provide a safer environment for everyone, especially starting with the younger generations. Stephanie also disclosed that she is collaborating with organisations to establish a unique nationwide emergency line for victims.
While Stephanie’s passion for improving maternal healthcare remains strong, she’s equally drawn to her love for acting and filmmaking. She excitedly told me that she’s ready to dive into her creative projects, after taking a hiatus to focus on her family. Understanding the power of storytelling, Stephanie disclosed that she would be making impactful films that address women’s issues like the Aba women’s uprising, and other projects that would spark inspiration and resonate with audiences.
On April 21, Stephanie and her husband, Linus Idahosa, celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary. Reflecting on their journey together, Stephanie radiated love, reminiscing about their courtship, marriage, and shared aspirations.
“We are sharpening each other,” she remarked with laughter.
Stephanie and Linus dated for just a year before he proposed, and they exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Paris.
“I’m grateful for my husband,” she expressed fondly. “I met him just a week after I had a conversation with God, telling Him I was ready for a committed relationship. It was a funny time,” she chuckled, humorously admitting that every time she looked at their wedding photo, she reassured herself that choosing him was the best decision she ever made.
“He is truly wonderful—a man with a clear vision and steadfast determination. He is hardworking, loving, patient, and exceptionally kind, not just as my partner but also as a devoted father who adores his children,” she expressed warmly. “He’s my rock, my ‘G.’ He is one to really watch out for as far as strategic leadership goes on the continent.”
Just before I took my leave, Linus descended the stairs with his youngest child in his arms. As they stood in the middle of the living room, laughing and having light banter with their guests, they exuded the same warmth and joy that embraced me upon my arrival, painting a beautiful scene of a loving family.
