Oluchi's father was a civil servant, and her mother was a nurse. She and her siblings (two brothers and a sister) lived in Ajegunle, a low-income area of the sprawling metropolis. She spent her high school years as a pretty good student, and enjoyed playing tennis and ping pong. To make ends meet, she sometimes sold bread on the streets of the city.

Her father was a civil servant, and her mother was a nurse. She and her siblings (two brothers and a sister) lived in Ajegunle, a low-income area of the sprawling metropolis. She spent her high school years as a pretty good student, and enjoyed playing tennis and ping pong. To make ends meet, she sometimes sold bread on the streets of the city.

With the support of her family and friends, she decided to compete in the inaugural edition of the "Face of Africa" in 1998. This was the first-ever continent-wide model competition, as opposed to a mere beauty pageant, and was organized by the South African subscription television channel M-NET in collaboration with Elite Models Management.

With her slim, tall (6' 1"), ebony figure, and her natural beauty, she captivated the judges, and she handily won the competition. She was just seventeen years old. Elite Models Management awarded Oluchi a three-year modeling contract, and a whirlwind life as a highly-sought-after fashion model began.

She graced the covers of Italian Vogue, I-D, ELLE, Untold, and Surface, and she also was featured in Nylon, Marie Claire, Allure, and other national editions of Vogue around the world. She also became the face of the campaigns for Gianfranco Ferre, Victoria's Secret, Gap, Express, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. When the Gap featured her in an ad adorning the side of one of the tallest buildings in New York, Oluchi knew that she had arrived.

Oluchi's runway experience is also lengthy and impressive. She has worked with John Galliano, Christian Dior, Costume National, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani (amongst others) in London, Milan, Tokyo and Paris. She shared the runway with such luminaries as Naomi Campbell, Alex Wek, and Iman. She has worked with such high-caliber photographers as Steven Meisel, Nick Kight, and Patrick Demarchelier.

Even as her career began to take off, she did not forget her roots, nor did she forget to attempt to give back to society. As one of the most high profile international models of Nigerian origin, she tries to serve as a role model for other aspiring talents in the west African country, especially young girls. She volunteers her time and her image for such NGOs as LEAP Africa (an entrepreneurship incubator) and NIPRO. She also is continuing her higher education, having studied for an associate's degree in the New York City educational system.

--Wikipedia