- Patience Jonathan, former First Lady of Nigeria, shared her PhD struggles, revealing constant pressure and frustration from lecturers that nearly led her to quit.
- Patience Jonathan shared her experience of obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during a testimony session at Streams of Joy International Church.
Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has spoken candidly about the intense challenges she faced while working towards her doctorate, revealing that the pressure and discouragement from academic supervisors almost led her to abandon the programme.
Speaking during a testimony at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, Jonathan reflected on her pursuit of a PhD in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. She was recently conferred the degree during the university’s 43rd postgraduate convocation ceremony.
According to the former First Lady, the academic process was far from easy, filled with moments of frustration and self-doubt.
“Sometimes, my lecturer would get me angry and say, ‘Go and repeat this page,’ and I’d just get so frustrated,” she said, as the congregation burst into laughter.
“I’d ask myself, Shey this man don’t know that I’m old? Very soon, I’ll just 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, He made it possible. I graduated.”
Jonathan admitted that she initially questioned the value of pursuing the degree after a long career in public service, wondering whether the effort was even necessary.
“When I picked up the PhD form, I thought I would not make it. I told myself, I’ve finished my career. I’ve served this country. 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 went on to describe the humbling experience of sitting among younger students in class, often finding herself needing to ask questions multiple times to fully grasp what was being taught.
“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.”
Jonathan characterized the three-year programme as a period that felt much longer than it actually was.
“It felt like forty years. But God saw me through. What looked impossible became possible.”
In her testimony, she encouraged Nigerians—especially women and the elderly—not to be discouraged by age or circumstances when it comes to learning and personal growth.
“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.”
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, humility, and faith in overcoming life’s challenges academic or otherwise.
