‘Lecturers Were Tough, But I Made It’ – Patience Jonathan on Being Awarded Her PhD
Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, spoke about the challenges she faced while pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
She said the pressure and strictness of her lecturers almost made her give up on her academic journey.
At the recent 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Mrs. Jonathan received her PhD in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling.
During a testimony session at Streams of Joy International Church on Sunday, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, the former First Lady shared how difficult her studies were, with moments of frustration and doubt.
“At times, my lecturer would get me angry and say, ‘Go and repeat this page,’” she recalled with a smile as the congregation laughed. “Shey this man don’t know that I’m old? Very soon, I will leave this place and rest because what will I do with it? It’s just to keep the brain moving. But to God be the glory. That thing that seemed impossible, God made it possible, and I graduated.”
Despite her background and years of public service, Mrs. Jonathan said she initially doubted whether pursuing a PhD was the right path after serving as Nigeria’s First Lady.
“When I went to pick up my PhD form, I thought I would not make it. I said, ‘I have finished my career. I have served as First Lady of Nigeria. What am I going to do with a PhD?’ But God told me to go there. He said, ‘If your children can make it, why can’t you?’”
She also described the experience of being the oldest student in class, sitting alongside much younger classmates.
“I would go to class and sit on the bench with my children. I was the ‘Mama’ among them, and I wasn’t ashamed. The teacher would be teaching, I would raise my hand and ask questions because the younger ones would understand immediately, but, as a ‘Mama’, I had to ask questions three times before I understood one thing,” she said.
Mrs. Jonathan called the three-year program “like 40 years” because of the effort it required. She credited her perseverance to faith and support.
Her message was clear for women and young people: age or circumstance should never stop anyone from pursuing education.
“There is no age limit in education. If you are a hundred years old, you can make it. If you are ten years old, you can make it. Just be determined, and you will get there,” she encouraged.
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