Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has candidly shared how she almost gave up her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme due to the relentless demands and pressure from her lecturers.
Speaking during a testimony session on Sunday at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan narrated the mental and emotional strain she endured in her academic journey.
Patience Jonathan, who recently bagged a PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during its 43rd Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony, described the experience as one of the most trying periods of her life.
“I was almost at the verge of giving up,” she said, to loud applause and laughter from the congregation. “At times, my lecturer would say, ‘Go and repeat this page.’ And I would be angry. I would say, ‘Doesn’t this man know I’m old?’ I would even think to myself, ‘Very soon, I’ll leave this place. What do I need it for?’”
Despite having served at the highest level of public office, Jonathan admitted that returning to the classroom wasn’t part of her original plan.
“When I picked up the PhD form, I didn’t think I would make it. I said to myself, ‘I’ve finished my career. I’ve served as First Lady. What am I looking for again?’ But God spoke to me. He said, ‘If your children can do it, why can’t you?’”
She described her three-year academic programme as feeling like “40 years,” explaining that it took immense grace and determination to stay the course.
“There were moments I really doubted myself. I was the ‘Mama’ in class, sitting on benches with young students. While they understood everything immediately, I sometimes had to ask the same question three times to grasp one thing.”
Unashamed of her journey, the former First Lady emphasized that age should never be a barrier to pursuing knowledge. “I wasn’t ashamed to ask questions in class. Education has no age limit,” she said.
Encouraging others, particularly women and youths, Jonathan added, “Whether you’re ten or a hundred, you can do it. Just be determined and focused. That thing that seemed impossible, God made possible.”
