Is this Nigerian teen the next women’s golf prodigy?

“(My father) was pretty surprised by my question,” she said. “He asked me if I really wanted to play this sport and I said, ‘yes,’ and he got me a coach and I started playing golf.” The rest was history. Essien entered her first competition the same year and proved to be a natural, placing first in her age group. “I found that really cool,” she said. By age 11, the golfer was representing Nigeria at international competitions across the US, UK, and Africa including Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa. Now 16, she is the As she continues to make a name for herself and her country, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari is taking notice. Following the tournament, the president’s adviser released a statement saying Buhari, “joins all Nigerians in celebrating this great teenager who is doing so much for the country.” “It was really unexpected, and I appreciate it,” Essien told CNN in response. Following her dreams Time and time again, Essien has proven she isn’t afraid of a challenge. While she often finds herself competing against older players, she says it actually “gives me even more motivation just to do better.”She says her positivity and drive is inspired by one of her greatest role models, Tiger Woods. “He has shown a lot of resilience in the game,” she said, noting his efforts to push through a series of injuries and career setbacks. “He just keeps playing golf and he really loves the sport, even though he’s not winning.”Essien is not the first Nigerian golfer to have to look elsewhere for role models. With a budding career ahead, she also hopes to pave the way for other Nigerians for follow in her footsteps.”I hope my achievements and where I am right now in golf can actually motivate Nigerians who want to play golf,” she said, leaving aspiring golfers with this piece of advice: “work hard and keep a good mentality because everything happens for a reason and in due time, everything will go your way.”