Goodluck Jonathan – Former President of Nigeria
| Stage Name: | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Real Name: | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 20th November 1957 (68 years) |
| State of Origin: | Bayelsa State, Nigeria |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Patience Jonathan (Wife) |
| Education: | University of Port Harcourt |
| Known for: | Politics |
Early Life
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957, in Otuoke, a small fishing village in Bayelsa State, in the southern Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He is from the Ijaw ethnic group and was born into a Christian family. His father, Lawrence Ebele Jonathan, made canoes, and his mother, Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan, was a retired farmer. Goodluck was the only surviving child among several, which is why his parents named him “Goodluck”.
He grew up in Otuoke and nearby villages. His early life was humble and full of Christian values. Jonathan’s parents taught him hard work, honesty, and kindness from childhood.
Educational Background
Jonathan began school at Saint Michael Primary School in Oloibiri and Saint Stephen Primary School in Otuoke. For secondary school, he first went to Mater Dei High School in Imiringi and later Government Secondary School in Borokiri, Rivers State, finishing around 1977.
He then attended the University of Port Harcourt. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1981 (with second‑class honours), a Master’s degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology in 1985, and finally a Ph.D. in Zoology in 1995. While studying, he worked as a lecturer at Rivers State College of Education from 1983 to 1993.
Jonathan also held jobs as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental protection officer before entering politics in 1998.
Career
Early Work
From 1975 to 1998, before politics, Jonathan worked in several roles: as a classroom teacher, education inspector, lecturer, and then as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) from 1993 to 1998.
Entering Politics
Jonathan joined politics in 1999, under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was elected Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State with Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. He served in that role until December 2005, when the governor was impeached and removed from office.
Jonathan was then sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa State, serving until 2007.
Vice President
In 2007, he became Vice President of Nigeria, serving under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. During that time, he worked on peace talks with Niger Delta groups and handled some national duties.
President of Nigeria
Jonathan became Acting President on February 9, 2010, during President Yar’Adua’s illness, because the Senate transferred power to him so Nigeria would have a working head of state. When Yar’Adua passed away on May 5, 2010, Jonathan was sworn in as President the next day.
He contested and won the 2011 presidential election, taking office on May 29, 2011, with about 59% of the vote. As President, he launched policies such as the Transformation Agenda, the YouWin entrepreneurship program which created jobs for youths, and passed the Freedom of Information Act so citizens could access government data.
Under his leadership, Nigeria rebased its GDP, becoming the largest economy in Africa, built new roads, bridges, a railway, and set up the SURE‑P programme to use savings from fuel subsidy reforms for education and maternal health.
Conceding Defeat
In March 2015, Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari. He conceded defeat peacefully, becoming the first Nigerian president to hand over power to the opposition. This peaceful transition avoided violence and was seen as a win for democracy.
Roles After Presidency
After leaving office, Jonathan took roles such as member of the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund board in 2019, Chairperson of the International Summit Council for Peace, and ECOWAS Special Envoy to crises in Mali (2020) and other countries. He also became Chancellor of Cavendish University, Uganda, in 2021.
Personal Life
Jonathan is married to Patience Jonathan, who served as First Lady while he was President. They married in 1993. They have two children: Ariwera (a son) and Aruabai (a daughter).
He has siblings who were also public figures: for example, his sister Nancy Jonathan‑Olei was a commissioner in Bayelsa State, and his brother Meni Jonathan served in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Jonathan is a devout Christian and is known for his humility, kindness, and simple lifestyle.
Social Media Presence
Goodluck Jonathan is active on social media, where he shares messages about peace, democracy, and youth development. His main platforms include Twitter (@GEJonathan) and Instagram (_goodluckjonathan).
He has over 1.9 million followers on Twitter and a similar number on Instagram, reaching people across Nigeria and beyond.
Net Worth
Estimates of Goodluck Jonathan’s net worth vary:
- Some sources say his net worth is around $12 million USD
- Others give a higher figure of about $100 million USD as of early 2025.
- When he declared his government assets in 2007, he declared ₦295 million (about $1.8 million USD)
He also reportedly holds shares in about 15 companies in sectors like banking, oil and gas, breweries, agro-allied business, and even owns a passenger boat for hire.
