“I Almost Gave Up”: Patience Jonathan Recounts Struggles Earning PhD Amid Frustrations and Self-Doubt

 

Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan, has opened up about the immense challenges she faced while pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling; a journey she nearly abandoned due to repeated frustration from lecturers.

The former First Lady, who was recently awarded the degree by Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during its 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony, shared her story during a testimony at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze.

Speaking to a cheering congregation, she recalled moments of self-doubt and the overwhelming demands of academic life that almost led her to quit.

“At times, my lecturer would get me angry and say, ‘Go and repeat this page.’ I would say, ‘Shey this man doesn’t know I’m old?’ I felt like giving up,” she said, to laughter from the crowd.

“I thought, what do I need this for again? Just to keep the brain moving. But to God be the glory, what seemed impossible, God made possible and I graduated.”

Despite her background as a former First Lady, Jonathan admitted she never imagined returning to school after a distinguished public service career.

“When I picked up the PhD form, I thought I wouldn’t make it. I said, I’ve served Nigeria; what more do I need? But God told me, ‘If your children can do it, why can’t you?’”

Jonathan said she was humbled by the experience of studying alongside much younger students, often finding herself having to ask multiple questions to understand what came easily to them.

“I sat on the same benches with my children. I was the ‘Mama’ in class, and I wasn’t ashamed. The teacher would explain something once, and the younger students would get it. I’d have to ask three times,” she admitted.

She described the three-year programme as feeling like “40 years,” but credited divine strength for seeing her through.

Encouraging others, particularly women and young people, the former First Lady emphasized that age or status should never be a barrier to learning.

“There’s no age limit to education. If you’re 100 years old, you can still go back to school. If you’re 10, you can make it. Just be determined, and you will get there,” she said.