‘God told me to go there’ – Patience Jonathan reflects on PhD journey

Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has shared the divine inspiration behind her academic pursuit, revealing that she returned to school to earn a doctorate degree because God instructed her to do so despite her age.

Mrs. Jonathan was among the graduating students at the 43rd convocation ceremony of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, held on May 31 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Her achievement drew attention and admiration across the country, especially for her determination and resilience.

Speaking during a testimony at the Streams of Joy International Church, the former First Lady reflected on the long journey that led to her PhD. She revealed that her educational path began with a National Certificate of Education (NCE), followed by a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, and then a master’s degree. Each step, she said, came with its own challenges.

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“When I went to pick up my PhD form, I thought that I would not make it. I said I have finished my career. I have served as first lady of Nigeria. What am I going to do with a PhD?” she said.

“But God told me to go there. He said, ‘If your children can make it, why can’t you? Just go there and try’. I went to pick up the form. Three years to me was like 40 years.

“I would go to class and sit on the bench with my children. Those were my children; I was the mama among them, and I wasn’t ashamed.

“The teacher will be teaching; I will raise my hands and ask questions because the younger ones will understand immediately, but, as a mama, I have to ask questions three times before I understand one thing. Before I knew it, God saw me through.”

The former first lady added that she sometimes got angry at a lecturer who would tell her to repeat assignments.

“This man doesn’t know that I’m old. I will soon 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, God made it possible, and I graduated,” she said.

(TheCable)