One of the most influential people in the running and operation of a nation is the President, and as former president of Nigeria, there’s no need for introduction as per who he is.
Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, GCON is Christian and an Ijo (Ijaw) man. He was first into education, as he was an education inspector, lecturer and environmental-protection office.
In 1998 he went into politics, as the deputy governor of Bayelsa State which he later rose to become the 14th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 5th of May, 2015.
Johnathan is the first politician from Niger Delta to have reach the presidency level.
In this article, we will let you know everything about Nigerian former president Goodluck Jonathan, his biography, net worth, his political career, his relationships and many more.
Goodluck Jonathan Profile
- Full Name: Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON
- Age: 63 years old
- Nationality: Nigerian
- State of Origin: Bayelsa State
- State of residence: Abuja, Nigeria
- Marital status: Married
- Occupation: Politician and an educationist.
Goodluck Jonathan Age
The former president was born on 20th of November, 1957 in Ogbia in Bayelsa state into a Christian family. His family background is well known for canoe making and fishing.
Goodluck Jonathan Education
From the start, Goodluck Johnathan had passion for acquiring knowledge through learning in a school environment. This drive started years back and began to be accomplished in his early childhood education as he started his primary education.
Coming from a Christian background, he completed his primary and secondary education in Christian primary and secondary schools in Niger Delta. He later proceeded to further his tertiary education at the University of Port Harcourt and obtained a B.S. in zoology in 1981.
The former president being driven by the burning desire to learn, went ahead to pursue a masters degree in hydrobiology and fisheries biology in 1985, and his hunger for education climax was accomplished when he finally obtained a Ph.D. in zoology in 1995.
Goodluck Jonathan Career
Before Goodluck’s adventure into politics in 1998, he worked as an education inspector, a lecturer at the Rivers State College of Education from 1983 until 1993 during his postgraduate years.
He also worked as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, which is now a defunct government agency, from 1993-1998. He also worked as an environmental-protection officer.
In 1998, Goodluck adventure into politics began when he became a member of the People Democratic Party and served in various seats of power.
His first seat of political power was the position of the deputy governor in Bayelsa State, in 1999 under the party’s banner. He served in that position until 2005, when he was raised to the governorship after the present governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was charged with corruption and impeached by the Bayelsa State Assembly.
Goodluck served as the governor of Bayelsa State from 2005-2007.
In 2007 he was picked to be the vice presidential running mate of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He and Yar’Adua were elected in April and sworn into office in May.
As a vice-president, Jonathan had a very humble profile. He recognized the constitutional limits of the vice-president’s office, although he took part in various cabinet meetings and, by position, was a member of the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, the Federal Executive Council, and was the Chairman of National Economic Council.
He played a great role as an instrumental in negotiating an agreement with many of the high profile militant groups that existed in Niger Delta, to lay down their weapons and put an end to violence against petroleum companies operating in the region, from 2007 to 2010 as part of a government amnesty.
Johnathan’s political career took another leap in the early 2010 when the existing president Yar’Adua prolonged his absence from the country for medical treatment to Saudi Arabia in November 2009. This lead to many anxiety in the country and caused calls for Yar’Adua to formally transfer power to Jonathan.
As pressure were mounted and there was no reply from Yar’Adua on the request to transfer power to his vice president.
The members of the senate Nigeria’s National Assembly made a decision and on February 9, 2010, voted to have Jonathan take full power and serve as acting president until Yar’Adua was able to restart his duties. Goodluck agreed and took power that day.
Yar’Adua later returned to Nigeria on 24th February, 2010, but it was announced that Jonathan would remain as acting president while Yar’Adua continued to recover.
The following month, Jonathan exercised his power by replacing Yar’Adua’s cabinet. Yar’Adua, who could not recover, unfortunately died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan was sworn in as the substantive president the next day.
A year later, he was sworn in as President, Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on 29th of May, 2011.Goodluck Johnathan became the 14th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Goodluck Jonathan’s first full term as president was filled with insurgency primarily in the northeast. This insurgency was led by the Islamic militant group, commonly known as Boko Haram. Boko Haram’s acts of terror escalated during his administration, not withstanding that the government has taken an action by declaring states of emergency in the affected areas.
However the terrorist violence continue to accelerate until the formation of a regional force which was formed to resist and pursued the terrorist group in earnest beginning in February 2015.
Apart from insurgency, his tenure also faced, economic issues and disagreement in People Democratic Party (PDP). This led to defection of members to the opposition group. During the presidential election, held on March 28, 2015, he lost to current President of Nigeria the former military head of state Muhammadu Buhari.
He remarkable accepted the defeat and became the first current holder of the presidential position to be defeated without fighting back.
After leaving office, Jonathan has been defending his administration. In 2019, he was appointed to be honorary Special Adviser on the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund Board. In June 2019, Goodluck Jonathan came out to be the chairperson of the recently inaugurated International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP).
Goodluck Jonathan Relationship
The former president of Nigeria is married to a beautiful wife,Dame Jonathan Patience and their union is blessed with two wonderful children, Ariwera (Son) and Aruabai (daughter).
Goodluck Jonathan Achievement
Dr. Jonathan was awarded the chieftaincy title of the Se lolia I of Wakirike Bese in 2013. His wife, Dame Patience, also received a title of her own during the same ceremony.
Goodluck Jonathan Net worth
Goodluck Jonathan in 2007 announced his assets worth a total of less than $1 million. However, in 2020, Goodluck Jonathan net worth is estimated at over $100 million.
