Nigeria - Head of Government

His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was sworn into office as President of Nigeria in April 2011 following victory in the presidential election. The ruling People’s Democratic Party’s candidate first served as President following the demise of his predecessor, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, in May 2010. He served as Acting President from February to May 2010 during the illness of Mr Yar’Adua. Dr Jonathan was Vice-President from May 2007 to February 2010.

Dr Jonathan served as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2005 to 2007, after he was appointed Deputy Governor from 1999 to 2005.

Prior to his entry into politics, Dr Jonathan worked as an Assistant Director of Ecology at the now defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission from 1993 to 1998. Before that, he lectured at the Rivers State College of Education from 1983 to 1993. He held the post of Science Inspector for Education at the Rivers State Ministry of Education from 1982 to 1983.

Dr Jonathan obtained his doctorate in Zoology, and his Master’s degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries Biology from the University of Port Harcourt. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the same university.

Dr Jonathan was born on 20 November 1957 in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

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