{
  "id": 2589478,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T14:24:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-k-drama-fan-to-valedictorian-nigerian-student-delivers-speech-in-korean-at-graduation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nnenna Onyima, a Nigerian student, has achieved an impressive academic milestone by becoming the valedictorian of her class at Daejeon University in South Korea, where she recently earned a Master of Science degree in Business Administration. Her journey began as an obsession with Korean dramas and K-pop music at home in Nigeria, which initially caused some tension between her and her family. However, her father, Tony Onyima, encouraged her to turn her fascination into something useful by learning the Korean language. This decision led to her selection for the Global Korean Scholarship in September 2023, where she was among 1,099 scholars chosen from applicants around the world, making her one of only 14 successful Nigerian applicants.\n\nThree years after moving to South Korea, Onyima traveled back to attend her daughter's graduation ceremony on August 21, 2026, unaware of the surprise that awaited him. During the ceremony, Nnenna was called upon to deliver the valedictory speech on behalf of all graduating international students in Korean. This unexpected turn of events deeply moved Tony Onyima, who shared his experience on his Facebook page. He expressed amazement at his daughter's ability to confidently speak Korean, a language neither hers nor the international students'. In her speech, Nnenna admitted to initial fears about relocating to a new culture, but emphasized how overcoming uncertainty had been life-changing. She reflected on her own experience as the foreigner delivering the speech, saying, \"This was the best risk I've ever taken.\" Tony Onyima encouraged parents to support their children's non-traditional interests and help channel them into meaningful pursuits. He noted that what began as an obsession with Korean culture had become a vocation for his daughter, turning her fascination into a significant achievement.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-22T14:02:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}