Former First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has opened up about the challenges she faced while pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and how she nearly gave up due to pressure from her lecturers.
Jonathan, who was recently conferred with a PhD in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during its 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony, shared her story during a testimony session at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze.
Recounting her academic struggles, she described the journey as one filled with frustration, intense demands, and moments of self-doubt. According to her, the relentless academic workload and high expectations from lecturers almost pushed her to abandon the programme.
“In class, my lecturer would get me angry and say, ‘Go and repeat this page.’ And I would think to myself, does he not know I’m old?” she said, drawing laughter and cheers from the congregation. “Sometimes I felt like quitting, thinking, ‘What do I need this for? I just want to keep my brain active.’”
Despite her prior achievements, including serving as Nigeria’s First Lady, Jonathan admitted she initially questioned the purpose of pursuing further education. “When I picked up the PhD form, I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? I’ve served my country. I’ve had a career. What’s the point?’” she recalled. “But God spoke to me and said, ‘If your children can do it, why can’t you?’”
Jonathan shared how humbling it was to return to the classroom, often surrounded by students young enough to be her children. “I sat on benches with them, raised my hand like everyone else, and asked questions—even if it took me three tries to grasp one concept,” she said with a smile. “They called me ‘Mama’ and I wasn’t ashamed.”
Describing the three-year programme as feeling more like “40 years,” she credited divine grace and determination for helping her persevere through to graduation.
Her testimony served as an encouragement to others, especially women and young people. “There is no age limit to education,” she declared. “Whether you’re ten or a hundred, you can still achieve your dreams. Just stay determined and trust in God.
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