A brilliant Nigerian lady named Amaka Jasmine Oberhiri has achieved remarkable success, emerging as the Best Graduating Student of Nişantaşı University, Istanbul after years of delay.
Amaka earned a first-class degree in New Media and Communication. Her journey is one of resilience, faith, and determination.
After spending more than two years unable to secure university admission despite graduating as an outstanding secondary school student, Amaka refused to give up on her dreams.
Years later, she not only gained admission abroad but graduated at the top of her class in a foreign country.
Amaka's Story and How She Did It
Amaka’s academic excellence began in Lagos, Nigeria, where she developed a love for learning from an early age.
Reflecting on her childhood, she recalled being book worm. Her dedication to academics paid off in 2018 when she graduated from secondary school as both the Best Graduating Student and Valedictorian.
However, shortly after her success in secondary school, she encountered an unexpected setback. Despite her excellent results, Amaka could not secure admission immediately. What she initially thought would be a one-year delay eventually stretched into two and a half years.
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During that period, she faced uncertainty, fear, and frustration as she watched her plans stall.
Rather than allowing the setback to define her, she focused on personal development, remained active in her local church, sang in the choir, volunteered at programmes, and continued improving herself while exploring international opportunities.
Just as opportunities abroad began to emerge, the global COVID-19 lockdown disrupted travel plans and delayed her dreams once again. And that situation left her devastated.
“I was crushed and started slipping into depression. It felt like the whole world was against me,” she reflected.
With the support of her family and her faith, she persevered through the difficult period. Finally, in 2021, after travel restrictions were lifted, she secured the opportunity to move to Turkey and begin her university education.
Arriving in a new country came with its own challenges. Amaka had to adjust to a new culture, language, and environment.
She battled self-doubt while simultaneously dealing with documentation issues, accommodation difficulties, financial constraints, and the challenge of learning Turkish.
At one point, she struggled to find suitable accommodation for more than a year, narrowly avoided scams, and even had to live in a hotel for an entire month.
Also, her studies were also disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and two major earthquakes that affected Turkey, one of which forced classes to move online temporarily.
Despite these obstacles, Amaka remained focused on her goals. She continued serving in church, participated in leadership roles, anchored youth programmes, and worked in media ministry while maintaining academic excellence.
Her persistence eventually paid off. Seven years after graduating from secondary school, she completed her bachelor’s degree with first-class honours in New Media and Communication and was named the Best Graduating Student and Valedictorian of the Class of 2025.
Speaking about the achievement, Amaka described the moment she addressed her university community as both emotional and surreal.
“Speaking in front of my entire university was surreal for me. This young Nigerian lady, who spent her formative years in Lagos, was now standing in front of an international crowd in a foreign land, representing the Nigerian youth,” she said.
According to her, the achievement reinforced her belief that excellence has no geographical limits and that Nigerian students can thrive anywhere in the world.
Reflecting on the journey, Amaka acknowledged the sleepless nights, hidden struggles, and challenges she overcame along the way.
“Through the sleepless nights, secret tears, and silent battles, I persevered. This achievement reinforced my belief that excellence has no geographical limit. And that the Nigerian youth can thrive anywhere,” she said.
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