Patience Faka Jonathan, born on October 25, 1957, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, is a former Nigerian civil servant and the wife of Nigeria’s former president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. She was Nigeria’s First Lady from 2010 to 2015 and Second Lady from 2007 to 2010. As Nigeria’s First Lady, she played active roles in women’s empowerment, philanthropy, and national affairs.
Dame Jonathan Patience Profile
| Name | Dame Jonathan Patience |
| Real Name | Patience Faka Jonathan |
| Date of Birth | 25 October 1957 |
| Age | 68 years |
| State of Origin | Rivers State |
| Tribe | Igbo |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Civil Servant and Wife of Former president |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Patience Jonathan began her early education in Port Harcourt and earned her school certificate in 1976. She passed her WAEC in 1980. 1989 she obtained her NCE (National Certificate of Education) in Mathematics and Biology from the Rivers State College of Arts and Science.
She later attended the University of Port Harcourt, earning a Biology and Psychology degree. In 2025, she graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, Guidance, and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State. Her doctoral achievement was celebrated widely and marked her commitment to education and personal growth, even after serving as Nigeria’s First Lady.
Career
She started as a teacher at Stella Maris College and the Sports Institute in Isaka. In 1997, she moved into banking, working as a marketing manager for Imiete Community Bank and later founding Akpo Community Bank.
She later returned to teaching before joining the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education. On July 12, 2012, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson appointed her Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State, although her appointment raised public concerns as she had been out of the civil service for many years.
Controversies
Patience Jonathan’s appointment as a permanent secretary in 2012 stirred criticism, with many questioning the basis for the promotion. Critics felt it lacked merit, especially since she had been out of active service since 1999. She was also caught in controversy during the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction. Her handling of the crisis, including emotional public appearances, was widely debated.
Another ongoing issue involves 15 of her former domestic staff who were arrested and detained in Bayelsa State over alleged theft of valuable items. The case has dragged on for years, and the Nigerian Bar Association recently stepped in to help find a resolution.
In 2012, she was secretly flown to Germany for medical treatment. Initially, her team denied it was for health reasons, but reports later confirmed she had suffered a severe case of food poisoning. The secrecy caused public backlash, as it reflected a preference for foreign healthcare over the local system.
She has also been mocked for her spoken English, with many Nigerians turning her public speeches into memes and jokes. This led to public embarrassment and criticism, although she continued with her duties.
Dame Jonathan Patience Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAybDEBs0R1
Personal Life
Patience is married to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president. They have two children together and live in Port Harcourt. She is known for her involvement in charity and women’s empowerment. One of her major projects is the A-Aruere Reachout Foundation, which supports women, youth, and children with health problems, especially those with heart conditions.
Dame Jonathan Patience Net Worth
Dame Jonathan Patience’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 Million.