{
  "id": 2585657,
  "title": "From K-drama fan to valedictorian: Nigerian student delivers speech in Korean at graduation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/from-k-drama-fan-to-valedictorian-nigerian-student-delivers-speech-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T14:02:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-k-drama-fan-to-valedictorian-nigerian-student-delivers-speech-in-korean-at-graduation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Nigerian daughter's obsession with Korean dramas once caused domestic disagreements in her home in Nigeria, but it eventually led to an academic milestone in South Korea. Tony Onyima, her father, shared his daughter Nnenna Onyima's journey to becoming a valedictorian of an international class at Daejeon University in South Korea. Nnenna's fascination with Korean culture turned into a valuable skill after her father encouraged her to learn Korean. The family supported her pursuit of the Global Korean Scholarship, which she secured in September 2023. Nnenna was among 1,099 scholars selected from 131 countries, and she is one of only 14 successful Nigerian scholars. Her graduation ceremony on August 21, 2026, took an unexpected turn when she was called upon to deliver a valedictory speech in Korean on behalf of all international students. Onyima traveled to South Korea to attend the ceremony, unaware of the surprise awaiting him. Nnenna's speech revealed her initial fears about relocating to a foreign culture, but her confidence and fluency in Korean made the moment unforgettable. The father-daughter's journey highlights the growing number of Nigerian scholars breaking language barriers and achieving top academic honors abroad.",
  "summary": "A Nigerian student, Nnenna Onyima, became valedictorian at a South Korean university, delivering her speech in fluent Korean. Her journey from K-drama fan Read More: https://punchng.com/from-k-drama-fan-to-valedictorian-nigerian-student-delivers-speech-in-korean-at-graduation/",
  "key_points": [
    "Nnenna Onyima's Korean drama obsession sparked domestic debates in Nigeria.",
    "Tony Onyima encouraged Nnenna to learn Korean, securing Global Korean Scholarship in September 2023.",
    "Nnenna delivered valedictory speech in Korean at Daejeon University graduation on August 21, 2026."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "From K-drama fan to valedictorian: Nigerian student delivers speech in Korean at graduation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/from-k-drama-fan-to-valedictorian-nigerian-student-delivers-speech-in-2589478",
        "published": "2026-08-22T14:24:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}