Former First Lady Patience Jonathan revealed she nearly abandoned her PhD due to academic pressure and self-doubt but ultimately persevered through faith, humility, and determination, proving that lifelong learning is possible at any age.
Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has opened up about the emotional and academic challenges she faced during her pursuit of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, disclosing that she almost quit the program due to persistent pressure from her lecturers.
Speaking during a testimony at Streams of Joy Church, Mrs. Jonathan, who recently earned a PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, recounted moments of personal doubt and frustration that nearly derailed her academic journey.
“There were days I felt like walking away,” she said. “Some of the lecturers pushed me hard, asking me to redo pages of assignments. I would get annoyed and think, ‘This man doesn’t know I’m older and tired. Why am I even doing this? Just to keep my brain sharp?’”
Despite the academic hurdles and moments of self-doubt, Mrs. Jonathan credited divine support for her persistence and eventual success.
“I didn’t think I could do it, especially after being the First Lady. But God told me, ‘If your children can achieve this, why can’t you?’ That gave me the strength to continue,” she shared.
She also described her humility in the classroom, where she was the oldest student. “I sat on the bench with my children in class. I was the ‘Mama’ among them, and I didn’t feel ashamed,” she recalled.
Unfazed by age or status, she often asked questions, even if it meant repeating them multiple times. “The younger ones grasped things quickly. For me, I had to ask three times to understand one thing,” she said, smiling.
Patience Jonathan’s story reflects a powerful message of resilience and lifelong learning, showing that determination, regardless of age or background, can lead to academic achievement.
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