Goodluck Jonathan

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957, in Ogbia, in what was then Eastern Region (now Bayelsa State), Nigeria. He came from a humble background, born into a family of canoe makers. Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1981, a Master of Science degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology in 1985, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Zoology in 1995, all from the University of Port Harcourt. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an education inspector, a lecturer at Rivers State College of Education, and an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC). Jonathan’s political career began in 1998, when he was elected Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State alongside Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. He served in this role until December 2005, when he was sworn in as Governor following Alamieyeseigha's impeachment. In 2007, he was selected as the running mate to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in the presidential election, successfully becoming the Vice President of Nigeria. Jonathan assumed the role of Acting President on February 9, 2010, when President Yar’Adua fell ill, and was sworn in as President following Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, 2010. His major achievement as President (2010–2015) was the transformation agenda, which focused on key sectors like power, education, and transportation. Notably, his administration oversaw significant privatization and deregulation in the power sector. Another landmark achievement was the electoral reform that led to generally lauded elections in 2011 and 2015. He also launched the *YouWin* program (Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria) to support entrepreneurship. Jonathan earned international praise for conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from an incumbent president to an opposition candidate in Nigeria's history. Since leaving office, Jonathan has dedicated his efforts to international diplomacy, mediation, and peace advocacy across Africa. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), which is focused on promoting democracy, peace, and sustainable development. Jonathan has been involved in electoral monitoring and conflict resolution efforts in various African nations, cementing his status as a respected elder statesman. His notable published work includes his memoir, *My Transition Hours* (2019).