Goodluck Jonathan

{{Short description|President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015}}
{{Pp-pc}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[Excellency|His Excellency]]
| name                = Goodluck Jonathan
| honorific-suffix    = [[Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic|GCFR]] [[Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger|GCON]]
| image               = Goodluck Jonathan World Economic Forum 2013.jpg
| caption             = Jonathan at the [[World Economic Forum]] in 2013
| order               = [[List of heads of state of Nigeria|14th]]
| office              = President of Nigeria
| vicepresident       = [[Namadi Sambo]]
| term_start          = 6 May 2010
| term_end            = 29 May 2015<br>{{small|[[Acting (law)|Acting]]: 9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010}}
| predecessor         = [[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]]
| successor           = [[Muhammadu Buhari]]
| office1             = 12th [[Vice President of Nigeria]]
| president1          = [[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]]
| term_start1         = 29 May 2007
| term_end1           = 6 May 2010
| predecessor1        = [[Atiku Abubakar]]
| successor1          = [[Namadi Sambo]]
| office2             = [[List of Governors of Bayelsa State|Governor of Bayelsa]]
| deputy2             = 
| term_start2         = 9 December 2005
| term_end2           = 29 May 2007
| predecessor2        = [[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]]
| successor2          = [[Timipre Sylva]]
| office3             = Deputy Governor of Bayelsa
| governor3           = [[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]]
| term_start3         = 29 May 1999
| term_end3           = 9 December 2005
| predecessor3        = 
| successor3          = 
| birth_name          = Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1957|11|20|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Ogbia]], [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern Region]], [[Colonial Nigeria|British Nigeria]] (now [[Ogbia]], [[Bayelsa State]], Nigeria)
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]]
| spouse              = [[Patience Jonathan]]
| children            = 2
| relations           = 
| education           = [[Doctor of Philosophy|Doctor of Philosophy degree]] in [[Zoology]]
| alma_mater          = [[University of Port Harcourt]]
| website             = {{URL|https://gej.ng}}
| nationality         = [[Nigerian]]
| occupation          = Politician
}}

'''Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan''' {{post-nominals|country=NG|GCFR|GCON}} (born 20 November 1957)<ref name=Source>{{cite magazine |first=Lawson |last=Heyford |url=http://www.thesourceng.com/jonathanprofiledec11.htm |title=Jonathan: A Colossus at 49 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035548/http://www.thesourceng.com/jonathanprofiledec11.htm |archive-date=15 January 2009 |magazine=The Source |publisher=Summit Publications Ltd. |location=[[Lagos]] |volume=20 |issue=10 |date=11 December 2006}}</ref> is a [[Nigerians|Nigerian]] [[politician]] who served as the [[president of Nigeria]] from 2010 to 2015.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Goodluck Jonathan |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Goodluck-Jonathan |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> He lost the [[2015 Nigerian general election|2015 presidential election]] to former military head of state General [[Muhammadu Buhari]] and was the first [[incumbent]] president in [[History of Nigeria#Fourth Republic|Nigerian history]] to concede defeat in an election and therefore allow for a [[peaceful transition of power]].<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/01/nigeria-election-goodluck-jonathan-lost|title=How Goodluck Jonathan lost the Nigerian election|author=Max Siollun|date=1 April 2015|access-date=11 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022101526/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/01/nigeria-election-goodluck-jonathan-lost|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]|archive-date=22 October 2016}}</ref>

Previously, Jonathan served as the [[vice president of Nigeria]] from 2007 to 2010 under the administration of [[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-18 |title=Goodluck Jonathan: from poor boy to accidental president |url=http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2015/jan/18/president-nigeria-goodluck-jonathan-poor-boy-to-king-profile |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> and in oil-rich [[Bayelsa State]] as [[List of governors of Bayelsa State|governor]] from 2005 to 2007, and deputy governor from 1999 to 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-03-31 |title=Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, profile of a defeated president |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12192152 |access-date=2022-02-27}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

==Early life==
Goodluck Jonathan was born on 20 November 1957 in [[Ogbia]] to a [[Christianity in Nigeria|Christian]] [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]] family of [[canoe]] makers,<ref name="Source22">Lawson Heyford, [http://www.thesourceng.com/jonathanprofiledec11.htm "Jonathan: A Colossus at 49"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115035548/http://www.thesourceng.com/jonathanprofiledec11.htm|date=15 January 2009}}, ''The Source'' (Lagos), 11 December 2006.</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera Profile22">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/02/20102247327794647.html Profile: Goodluck Jonathan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318053712/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/02/20102247327794647.html|date=18 March 2010}}. Al Jazeera.net.</ref> in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.<ref name=":2"/> His father, Lawrence Ebele Jonathan, was a canoe maker and his mother, Eunice Ayi Ebele Jonathan, was a retired farmer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gej.ng/biography/ | title=Biography }}</ref> He attended a Christian primary and secondary school.<ref name=":2"/>

==Education==
He received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[zoology]] ([[second-class honours]]), a [[master's degree]] in [[hydrobiology]] and [[fisheries]] [[biology]]; and a doctorate in zoology from the [[University of Port Harcourt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailymail.com.ng/former-nigeria-president-chief-olusegun-obasanjo-says-even-president-goodluck-ebele-jonathan-didnt-complete-his-phd/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123023036/http://dailymail.com.ng/former-nigeria-president-chief-olusegun-obasanjo-says-even-president-goodluck-ebele-jonathan-didnt-complete-his-phd/|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2015|title=Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Says Even President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Didn't Complete His PHD|work=Daily Mail (Nigeria)|date=22 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://getinformednaija.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/jonathan-did-not-finish-his-phd-course-obasanjo-speaks-on-buharis-certificate-saga/|title=Jonathan Did Not Finish his PhD Course -Obasanjo Speaks on Buhari's Certificate Saga|publisher=GetInformedNaija|date=22 January 2015|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123001258/https://getinformednaija.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/jonathan-did-not-finish-his-phd-course-obasanjo-speaks-on-buharis-certificate-saga/|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naij.com/369249-obasanjo-speaks-on-buharis-sertificate-saga.html|author=Jasmine Buari|title=Obasanjo Speaks On Buhari's Certificate Saga|date=22 January 2015|publisher=Naij.com|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122230521/http://www.naij.com/369249-obasanjo-speaks-on-buharis-sertificate-saga.html|archive-date=22 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> During his time in the university, he taught at Rivers State College of Education from 1983 to 1993.<ref name=":2"/>

==Pre-presidency (1998–2010)==
Before entering into politics in 1998, Jonathan worked as an education inspector, a lecturer and an environmental-protection officer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8510390.stm|title=Profile: Goodluck Jonathan|date=6 May 2010|access-date=6 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506031609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8510390.stm|archive-date=6 May 2010|work=BBC News}}</ref> His political career began when he became involved with the nascent People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the late 1990s.<ref name=":2"/>
Jonathan entered into politics when General [[Sani Abacha]], who ruled as [[Military dictatorship in Nigeria|military head of state]] of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, died in office. 

In the [[1999 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election]], [[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]] ran for governor under the platform of the [[Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Peoples Democratic Party]] and chose Jonathan as his running mate. Alaimeyeseigha won the election and became the first civilian [[governor of Bayelsa State]] in May 1999. They were reelected in [[2003 Bayelsa State gubernatorial election|2003]] and Jonathan's diligence and loyalty to him earned him the recognition as Nigeria's most hardworking deputy governor.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

===Governorship===
On 29 May 1999, Jonathan was sworn in as deputy governor of [[Bayelsa]] alongside [[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]] who came in as the governor of the state on the platform of PDP. Jonathan served as Deputy Governor until December 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbooza.com/group/nigeriapolitics/forum/topics/the-man-goodluck-ebele#axzz2PIsF6bif|title=The man Goodluck Ebele Jonathan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513095246/http://www.gbooza.com/group/nigeriapolitics/forum/topics/the-man-goodluck-ebele#axzz2PIsF6bif|archive-date=13 May 2013}}</ref> On 9 December 2005, Jonathan, who was the deputy governor at the time, was sworn in as the governor of Bayelsa State upon the impeachment of governor [[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]] by the Bayelsa State Assembly after being charged with money laundering in the [[United Kingdom]].{{cn|date=March 2024}}

==Vice-presidency (2007–2010)==
As Vice President, Jonathan took a very low profile. While recognising the constitutional limits of the Vice President's office, he participated in cabinet meetings and, by statute, was a member of the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, the [[Federal Executive Council (Nigeria)|Federal Executive Council]] and chairman of the National Economic Council.

===Order of succession===
Jonathan was named Acting President of Nigeria on 9 February 2010, following a controversial [[doctrine of necessity]] from the [[Senate of Nigeria]] due to President Yar'Adua's trip to [[Saudi Arabia]] in November 2009 for medical treatment.<ref name="BBC225">{{Cite news|date=25 February 2010|title=Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan 'is acting president'|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8537718.stm|url-status=live|access-date=25 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226054032/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8537718.stm|archive-date=26 February 2010}}</ref> On 10 February 2010, his first day as acting president, Jonathan announced a minor cabinet reshuffle.<ref>{{cite web|author=Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Golu Timothy|date=10 February 2010|title=Jonathan Redeploys Aondoakaa|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201002110050.html|publisher=AllAfrica}}</ref>

In accordance with the order of succession in the [[Nigerian constitution]], following President Yar'Adua's death on 5 May 2010, Jonathan, as Acting President, was [[First inauguration of Goodluck Jonathan|sworn in]] as the substantive president of the [[Federal Republic of Nigeria]] on 6 May 2010.<ref>[http://www.nanngronline.com/News/Pages/Jonathan,now President,Commander-In-Chief.aspx ''News Agency of Nigeria'' story on newly sworn President Jonathan]{{dead link|date=March 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> On 18 May 2010, the [[National Assembly]] approved Jonathan's nomination of [[Kaduna State]] [[List of governors of Kaduna State|Governor]] [[Namadi Sambo]], to replace him as Vice President.<ref name=":0">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110427063155/http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201005185541038 NASS confirms Sambo as vice president]". Punch Newspaper</ref><ref name=":1">[http://www.myondostate.com/myondostate/newssend.php?id=203 "National Assembly confirms Sambo as Vice President"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025349/http://www.myondostate.com/myondostate/newssend.php?id=203|date=27 April 2011}}, ''Liberty News''</ref> For the [[2011 Nigerian presidential election|general election in 2011]], Jonathan and Vice President Sambo attended political events and travelled the country to campaign for the nation's highest office.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ajani Jide |author2=Benson Dayo|date=2010|title=Nigeria: Sambo, Anenih to Head Jonathan's Campaign|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201008240008.html|website=allafrica.com}}</ref>

A year later, on 29 May 2011, he was [[Second inauguration of Goodluck Jonathan|sworn in]] as the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Goodluck Jonathan Inaugurated as Nigerian President  English|url=https://www.voanews.com/africa/goodluck-jonathan-inaugurated-nigerian-president|access-date=31 May 2020|website=www.voanews.com|language=en}}</ref> He gave his inauguration address where he declared his government was to focus on a Transformation Agenda and promised to continue implementing the seven-point agenda policy framework of President Yar'Adua.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven-point agenda alive – Jonathan |url=http://nigerianbulletin.com/news-headlines/seven-point-agenda-alive-–-jonathan-daily-trust/1347556373000/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411114337/http://nigerianbulletin.com/news-headlines/seven-point-agenda-alive-%E2%80%93-jonathan-daily-trust/1347556373000/|archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> He cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reforms as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".<ref>{{cite news|date=6 May 2010|title=Nigeria swears in new president|publisher=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/05/20105681641917266.html|url-status=live|access-date=6 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509032200/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/05/20105681641917266.html|archive-date=9 May 2010}}</ref>

==Presidency (2010–2015)==
{{Main|Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan}}

=== Economics ===
Under Jonathan's administration, Nigeria rebased its gross domestic product for the first time in over a decade, becoming the largest economy in Africa by overtaking South Africa and [[Egypt]].<ref name="Source" />

The Jonathan administration accrued over US$454 billion while in office from oil revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 August 2017|title=Buhari earns $58bn in 27 months to Jonathan's $454bn in 6 years|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/buhari-earns-58bn-in-27-months-to-jonathans-454bn-in-6-years/|access-date=16 February 2020|website=The Sun Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> Jonathan previously served as an assistant director at the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development commission between 1993 and 1998.<ref name=":2"/>

The Jonathan administration oversaw the construction of new railways in the country, including the Abuja-Kaduna railway and conceptualized high-speed rail projects. Construction and beautification of many federal roads in the country, including the Lagos-Benin expressway, Abuja-Lokoja expressway, Enugu-Abakiliki expressway, Onitsha-Owerri highway and most parts of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.<ref name=":3" /> Also, construction of the second Niger Bridge between Onitsha and Asaba to relieve the pressure on the old Niger Bridge which was completed in December 1965. Construction of airports across the country. The Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu was upgraded into an international airport, directly connecting the South-East region of the country to the outside world for the first time since independence.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 2 August 2010, Jonathan launched his 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform'.<ref name="Roadmap2">[http://www.nigeriaelectricityprivatisation.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/03/Roadmap-for-Power-Sector-Reform-Full-Version.pdf Roadmap for Power Sector Reform] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125041843/http://www.nigeriaelectricityprivatisation.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/03/Roadmap-for-Power-Sector-Reform-Full-Version.pdf|date=25 November 2011}}. (PDF).</ref> Its primary goal was to achieve stable electricity supply in Nigeria. The [[Power Holding Company of Nigeria]], which acted as the nation's electricity provider, was broken up into 15 firms, with Nigeria handing over control of state electricity assets to 15 private bidding companies.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-power-idUSBRE93N0M720130424 Nigeria takes next step in power privatization] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180824/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/24/us-nigeria-power-idUSBRE93N0M720130424|date=24 September 2015}}. Reuters.</ref> The Nigerian government contracted for the services of [[CPCS Transcom Limited]], a Canada-based consulting firm specialising in transportation and energy infrastructure projects, to act as the transaction adviser for the handover of state electricity assets.<ref>[http://www.nigeriaelectricityprivatisation.com/ (PHCN)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917063858/http://www.nigeriaelectricityprivatisation.com/|date=17 September 2011}}. Nigeria Electricity Privatisation.</ref>

Historically, the Nigerian power sector has been plagued by [[Power outage|blackouts]].  Economists estimate that power outages have cost Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy, billions of dollars in imported diesel for generators and lost output. In a study conducted by the [[World Bank]], a lack of access to financing and electricity were cited as Nigeria's main obstacles to development, surpassing corruption.<ref>{{cite news|date=March–April 2014|title=Reforming Nigeria|url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/discussions/interviews/reforming-nigeria|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206215323/http://www.foreignaffairs.com/discussions/interviews/reforming-nigeria|archive-date=6 February 2015|website=Foreign Affairs}}</ref>

=== Finances ===
Jonathan suspended [[Sanusi Lamido Sanusi]] as governor of the [[Central Bank of Nigeria]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nossiter|first=Adam|date=20 February 2014|title=Governor of Nigeria's Central Bank Is Fired After Warning of Missing Oil Revenue|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/africa/governor-of-nigerias-central-bank-is-fired-after-warning-of-missing-oil-revenue.html|access-date=5 August 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sanusi's suspension legal or illegal?|url=https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/sanusi-s-suspension-legal-or-illegal-nigeria-32427}}</ref> after a series of public investigations and raising the alarm on the [[Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation#Unremitted funds (2013–2014)|US$20&nbsp;billion NNPC scandal]] in a leaked letter which revealed that the [[Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation]] failed to account for US$48.9 billion of government oil revenue to the central bank<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nigeria's NNPC accused of withholding oil revenue|url=https://www.petroleum-economist.com/articles/politics-economics/africa/2013/nigerias-nnpc-accused-of-withholding-oil-revenue|access-date=21 July 2020|website=www.petroleum-economist.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=6 February 2015|title=Special Report: Anatomy of Nigeria's $20 billion "leak"|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-election-banker-specialreport-idUSKBN0LA0X820150206|access-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> – the NNPC has a history of financial irregularities and oversees the corrupt [[petroleum industry in Nigeria]]. Sanusi would go on to reveal the extent of financial recklessness that Nigeria lost a billion dollars a month to diversion of public funds under the Jonathan administration, with oil minister [[Diezani Alison-Madueke]] diverting $6 billion (₦1.2 trillion) from the Nigerian treasury.

In addition, Jonathan was alleged to have personally ordered over ₦3 trillion ($15 billion) from the [[Central Bank of Nigeria]] to support his election and other self-serving projects under the guise of an intervention fund for national security. [[Charles Chukwuma Soludo|Charles Soludo]], a professor of economics and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, equated Jonathan's financial recklessness to that of former Ugandan president [[Idi Amin]].<ref>[http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/196901-jonathan-ran-cbn-like-idi-amin-soludo.html "Jonathan ran CBN like Idi-Amin – Soludo"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402030950/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/196901-jonathan-ran-cbn-like-idi-amin-soludo.html|date=2 April 2016}} ''Premium Times'', 17 January 2016.</ref> [[Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala]], an economist and former [[Finance Minister of Nigeria]], pegged Jonathan's administration as the main cause of Nigeria's economic woes in a lecture at [[George Washington University]],<ref>Nomso Obiajuru, [https://www.naij.com/799712-why-nigeria-wasnt-able-to-save-under-jonathan-okonjo-iweala.html "No political will to save under Jonathan - Okonjo-Iweala"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423155240/https://www.naij.com/799712-why-nigeria-wasnt-able-to-save-under-jonathan-okonjo-iweala.html|date=23 April 2016}}, Naij.com.</ref> although she later denied it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Low Savings: I Didn't Indict Jonathan Administration, Says Okonjo-Iweala |work=Nigeria News Flight |url=http://nigerianewsflight.com/article/low-savings-i-didn%E2%80%99t-indict-jonathan-administration-says-okonjo-iweala|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623212634/http://nigerianewsflight.com/article/low-savings-i-didn%E2%80%99t-indict-jonathan-administration-says-okonjo-iweala|archive-date=23 June 2016|access-date=24 April 2016}}</ref> However, none of the corruption allegations against Jonathan have been proven in any law court.

=== Corruption ===
{{Main|$2 billion arms deal}}
Jonathan's government has largely been described as corrupt. According to ''[[The Economist]]'', corruption flourished [[Corruption in Nigeria#Goodluck Jonathan administration (2010–2015)|under the Jonathan administration]], "who let politicians and their cronies fill their pockets with impunity."<ref>{{cite news|date=30 January 2016|title=Nigeria's economy|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21689584-cheap-oil-causing-currency-crisis-nigeria-banning-imports-no|url-status=live|access-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130222804/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21689584-cheap-oil-causing-currency-crisis-nigeria-banning-imports-no|archive-date=30 January 2016}}</ref> Large sums of money have been used improperly multiple times, with [[Naira|₦]]3.98 trillion (US$20 billion) allegedly going missing<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201505140400.html "Nigeria: Missing U.S.$20 Billion - Sanusi Faults Alison-Madueke, Says Audit Report Proves At Least U.S.$18.5 Billion Lost"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426181801/http://allafrica.com/stories/201505140400.html|date=26 April 2016}}, ''Premium Times''. AllAfrica.com, 14 May 2015,</ref> and ₦398 billion ($2 billion) of military funds allegedly dispersed amongst high-ranking officials.<ref>[http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196518-2-1-billion-dasukigate-key-questions-jonathan-must-answer-serap.html "$2.1 billion DasukiGate: Key questions Jonathan must answer – SERAP"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402010805/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196518-2-1-billion-dasukigate-key-questions-jonathan-must-answer-serap.html|date=2 April 2016}}, ''Premium Times'', 10 January 2016.</ref> In 2006, reports released by Wikileaks claimed that Jonathan's wife, [[Patience Jonathan]], was indicted for money-laundering by Nigeria's anti-crime agency, the [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] (EFCC).<ref name="Profiles22">{{cite web|title=Profiles|url=http://www.theafricantimes.com/profile.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330091723/http://www.theafricantimes.com/profile.html|archive-date=30 March 2013|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref>

Since May 2015, the [[Muhammadu Buhari]] administration reportedly has been fighting corruption that was perpetrated under Jonathan. Some of the former political office holders and appointees that served under Jonathan, as well as party members, have been arrested on various corruption charges.<ref>Jaafar Jaafar, [http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/202028-ex-president-jonathans-top-aide-waripamowei-dudafa-arrested-lagos-airport.html "Ex-President Jonathan’s top aide, Waripamowei Dudafa, arrested at Lagos airport"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421060942/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/202028-ex-president-jonathans-top-aide-waripamowei-dudafa-arrested-lagos-airport.html|date=21 April 2016}}, ''Premium Times'', 18 April 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196241-efcc-arrests-pdp-spokesperson-olisa-metuh-over-alleged-corruption-2.html "EFCC arrests PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, over alleged corruption"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105182909/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196241-efcc-arrests-pdp-spokesperson-olisa-metuh-over-alleged-corruption-2.html|date=5 January 2016}}, ''Premium Times'', Nigeria, 5 January 2016.</ref> It is alleged that some, including former Finance Minister [[Nenadi Usman]], have returned part of the money they stole.<ref>Adelani Adepegba and Eniola Akinkuotu, [http://www.punchng.com/campaign-funds-jonathans-minister-returns-n23m-to-fg/ "Campaign funds: Jonathan’s minister returns N23m to FG"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424074822/http://punchng.com/campaign-funds-jonathans-minister-returns-n23m-to-fg/|date=24 April 2016}}, ''Punch Newspapers'', 24 April 2016.</ref> None of these politicians have however been convicted of the alleged crimes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Naija247news – Corruption: Why EFCC should arrest Jonathan – CD<!-- Bot generated title -->|date=24 April 2016|url=http://naija247news.com/2016/04/corruption-why-efcc-should-arrest-jonathan-cd/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425001929/http://naija247news.com/2016/04/corruption-why-efcc-should-arrest-jonathan-cd/|archive-date=25 April 2016|access-date=24 April 2016}}</ref> It remains unclear whether or not Jonathan, who is believed to have either masterminded or condoned the corruption, will be arrested.<ref>Anike Nwodo, [https://www.naij.com/692728-2-1b-arms-deal-jonathan-hasnt-arrested-efcc-chairman.html "EFCC Boss Explains Why GEJ Hasn't Been Arrested"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513065650/https://www.naij.com/692728-2-1b-arms-deal-jonathan-hasnt-arrested-efcc-chairman.html|date=13 May 2016}}, Naij.com.</ref>

=== Foreign affairs ===
[[File:President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Jonathan with US President [[Barack Obama]] and [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Michelle Obama]] in 2014]]
During Jonathan's administration, Nigeria's foreign policy was reviewed to reflect a "citizen-focused" approach, designed to "accord this vision of defending the dignity of humanity the highest priority" and connect foreign policy to domestic policy, while placing a greater emphasis on economic diplomacy.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reuben Abati|date=31 July 2011|title=President Jonathan on Review of Nigeria's Foreign Policy|url=http://nigeriavillagesquare.com/press-releases/president-jonathan-on-review-of-nigerias-foreign-policy.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127171219/http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/press-releases/president-jonathan-on-review-of-nigerias-foreign-policy.html|archive-date=27 January 2013|access-date=29 March 2013}}</ref>

=== National issues ===
====2010 Nigerian lead poisoning incident====
In January 2013, Jonathan reportedly promised $4 million to assist in cleaning up villages that have been affected by a [[lead poisoning]] incident.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Oladipo|first=Tomi|date=12 April 2013|title=Cleaning up Nigeria's toxic playgrounds|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-22131829|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gbenro|first=Oluwatobi|title=tributary to Fmr. Pres. Goodluck Jonathan|url=https://www.academia.edu/19556926|language=en}}</ref> Over 400 children died and [[Human Rights Watch]] said that releasing the funds "could be lifesaving for countless children."<ref name="Hundreds of Children22">{{cite news|last=McNeil|first=Donald Jr.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/world/africa/nigeria-money-promised-to-clean-up-lead-that-killed-hundreds-of-children.html?ref=goodluckjonathan&_r=0|title=Nigeria: Money Promised to Clean Up Lead That Killed Hundreds of Children|date=29 January 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=7 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206101350/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/world/africa/nigeria-money-promised-to-clean-up-lead-that-killed-hundreds-of-children.html?ref=goodluckjonathan&_r=0|archive-date=6 February 2015}}</ref>

====2012 Occupy Nigeria protests====
{{Main|Occupy Nigeria}}
On 1 January 2012, the Jonathan administration announced the start of a controversial plan to end fuel subsidies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16379231|title=Nigeria fuel subsidy end raises protest fears|date=1 January 2012|access-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313163743/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16379231|archive-date=13 March 2018|work=BBC News}}</ref> Following the [[Nigeria Labour Congress]]' warning that the country faces many strikes, the country unions followed up with strikes that were matched with [[Occupy Nigeria|civil protests]] from 9–13 January 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nigerians Protest Removal of Fuel Subsidy, 2012 |url=https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/nigerians-protest-removal-fuel-subsidy-2012|website=Global Nonviolent Action Database|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/nigeria/12119.pdf|title=Parliament of the Streets|last=Lakemfa|first=Owei}}</ref> Protesters and groups called for Jonathan to resign over the removal of fuel subsidies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/01/03/protests-in-lagos-ibadan-over-removal-of-subsidy/|title=Protests in Lagos, Ibadan Over Removal of Subsidy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130144856/http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/01/03/protests-in-lagos-ibadan-over-removal-of-subsidy/|archive-date=30 January 2012|access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201112140825.html|title=Subsidy Removal: CNPP Calls for Jonathan's Resignation|author=Shuaib Shuaib|date=14 December 2011|publisher=AllAfrica|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212003136/http://allafrica.com/stories/201112140825.html|archive-date=12 December 2013|access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> After five days of national protests and strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan announced that the pump price of petroleum would be 97 [[Nigerian naira|naira]] per litre compared to a post-subsidy level of 147 naira.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Nigerian-Unions-President-Fail-to-Resolve-Subsidy-Stalemate-137358213.html/|title=Nigeria Cuts Fuel Prices After Strike, Protests|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119064247/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Nigerian-Unions-President-Fail-to-Resolve-Subsidy-Stalemate-137358213.html|archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, upon the partial removal of petrol subsidies, the Jonathan administration instituted a subsidy re-investment programme designed to spend the money saved from partial petrol price deregulation on physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, etc., across the country. The [[SURE-P|Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program]] (SURE-P) was also intended to improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality.

The government followed the advice of international experts that claimed the fuel subsidy ($8 billion per year, or 25% of the government annual budget)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.one.org/us/2012/02/08/faq-the-fuel-subsidy-protests-in-nigeria/|title=FAQ: The fuel subsidy protests in Nigeria|date=8 February 2012|website=One|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206101052/http://www.one.org/us/2012/02/08/faq-the-fuel-subsidy-protests-in-nigeria/|archive-date=6 February 2015}}</ref> was not sustainable. [[Brookings Institution]], a think tank, praised the government's move, arguing that the subsidy crowds out other development spending, like education, and that it discourages investment in the country's economic lifeblood, the oil sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/01/10-fuel-subsidies-nigeria-songwe|title=Removal of Fuel Subsidies in Nigeria: An Economic Necessity and a Political Dilemma|date=10 January 2012|website=Brookings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206102522/http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2012/01/10-fuel-subsidies-nigeria-songwe|archive-date=6 February 2015}}</ref> In his book, "My Transition Hours", Goodluck Jonathan said that subsidy was consuming too much of our revenues and the public believed that the sector was highly corrupt. He mentioned that the Minister of Finance [[Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala|Ngozi Okonjo Iweala]] briefed him about the corrupt practices that a technical committee she had put together discovered. He said that he was alarmed that billions of naira was being lost by the nation through the subsidy regime.<ref>{{cite book|title=My Transition Hours|last1=Jonathan|first1=Goodluck|date=2018|publisher=Ezekiel Books|isbn=9781732492264|page=20}}</ref>

Many prominent Nigerians spoke out against the removal of the subsidy. Former Petroleum Minister Professor Tam David-West spoke out and expressed concern that the planned removal of the fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, and hurt both businesses and the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/business/27455-subsidy-removal%C2%A0will-choke-economy,-says-david-west.html|title=Subsidy removal will choke economy, says David-West|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127085902/http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/business/27455-subsidy-removal%C2%A0will-choke-economy%2C-says-david-west.html|archive-date=27 November 2011}}</ref> A former military Head of State and a former Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, General [[Muhammadu Buhari]], urged Jonathan not to remove the fuel subsidy and to tackle corruption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201112140239.html|title=Buhari to Jonathan&nbsp;– Leave Subsidy, Tackle Graft|author=Abbas Jimoh|date=14 December 2011|publisher=AllAfrica}}</ref> [[Yakubu Gowon]], another former military Head of State, warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps were taken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/29461-gowon-to-jonathan%3A-don’t-remove-subsidy-now.html|title=Gowon to Jonathan: don't remove subsidy now|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011035742/http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/29461-gowon-to-jonathan%3A-don%E2%80%99t-remove-subsidy-now.html|archive-date=11 October 2013}}</ref> Former military president Gen. [[Ibrahim Babangida]], joined millions of Nigerians protesting against the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration, saying that the action is ill-timed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ibb-deregulation-ill-timed/106317/|title=IBB: Deregulation Ill-timed|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109005010/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ibb-deregulation-ill-timed/106317|archive-date=9 January 2012}}</ref>

====2014 National Conference====
{{Further|2014 National Conference, Nigeria}}
In March 2014, President Jonathan inaugurated the 2014 National Conference. The conference was the first of its kind since the 2005 political reform conference,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Owete|first=Festus|date=16 February 2014|title=Between Jonathan's National Conference and Obasanjo's National Political Reform Conference: What You Need To Know |work=Premium Times Nigeria|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/155237-between-jonathans-national-conference-and-obasanjos-national-political-reform-conference.html|access-date=24 June 2020|language=en-GB}}</ref> it had 492 delegates that debated on key socio-political national issues impeding national development.<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 August 2014|title=What did Nigeria's National Conference achieve?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28929532|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref>

====2014 Ebola outbreak====
{{Further|Ebola in Nigeria}}
On 20 July 2014, [[Patrick Sawyer]], a Liberian-American, flew from [[Monrovia]] to [[Murtala Muhammed International Airport]] in [[Lagos]], with a stopover at [[Lomé]], Togo.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Oduyemi|first1=Rachael O.|last2=Ayegboyin|first2=Matthew|last3=Salami|first3=Kabiru K.|date=2016|title=Perceptions of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria: Understanding the influence of imagination on health orientation|journal=International Journal of Nursing Practice|language=en|volume=22|issue=3|pages=291–299|doi=10.1111/ijn.12425|pmid=27080239|issn=1440-172X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ebola: Why Patrick Sawyer travelled to Nigeria – Wife |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/166660-ebola-why-patrick-sawyer-travelled-to-nigeria-wife.html|last=Ibekwe|first=Nicholas|date=13 August 2014|language=en-GB|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak – Nigeria, July–September 2014|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6339a5.htm|website=www.cdc.gov|access-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> He was subsequently described as having appeared to be "terribly ill" when he left Monrovia. Sawyer became violently ill upon arriving at the airport and died five days later. In response, the Nigerian government observed all of Sawyer's contacts for signs of infection and increased surveillance at all entry points to the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ebola outbreak kills an American|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/07/29/health/ebola-outbreak-american-dies/index.html|first= Jacque |last=Wilson|website=CNN|date=29 July 2014|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

On 6 August 2014, the Nigerian health minister told reporters: "Yesterday, the first known Nigerian to die of Ebola was recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ebola outbreak: nurse who treated first victim in Nigeria dies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/06/ebola-outbreak-nurse-nigeria-dies|date=2014-08-06|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=My encounter with Patrick Sawyer— Adadevoh|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/encounter-patrick-sawyer-adadevoh/|date=2014-08-23|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> This was one of the nurses that attended to the Liberian. The other five newly confirmed cases are being treated at an isolation ward." The doctor who treated Sawyer, [[Ameyo Adadevoh]], subsequently also died of Ebola. On 22 September 2014, the Nigeria ministry of health announced: "As of today, there is no case of Ebola in Nigeria. All listed contacts who were under surveillance have been followed up for 21 days.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Otu|first1=Akaninyene|last2=Ameh|first2=Soter|last3=Osifo-Dawodu|first3=Egbe|last4=Alade|first4=Enoma|last5=Ekuri|first5=Susan|last6=Idris|first6=Jide|date=2017-07-10|title=An account of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Nigeria: implications and lessons learnt|journal=BMC Public Health|volume=18|issue=1|page=3|doi=10.1186/s12889-017-4535-x|issn=1471-2458|pmc=5504668|pmid=28693453 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak – Nigeria, July–September 2014|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6339a5.htm|website=www.cdc.gov|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> "According to the [[World Health Organization|WHO]], 20 cases and 8 deaths had been confirmed, along with the imported case, who also died. Four of the dead were health care workers who had cared for Sawyer. In all, 529 contacts had been followed and of that date they had all completed a 21-day mandatory period of surveillance.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Shuaib|first1=Faisal|last2=Gunnala|first2=Rajni|last3=Musa|first3=Emmanuel O.|last4=Mahoney|first4=Frank J.|last5=Oguntimehin|first5=Olukayode|last6=Nguku|first6=Patrick M.|last7=Nyanti|first7=Sara Beysolow|author-link7=Sara Beysolow Nyanti|last8=Knight|first8=Nancy|last9=Gwarzo|first9=Nasir Sani|last10=Idigbe|first10=Oni|last11=Nasidi|first11=Abdulsalam|date=3 October 2014|title=Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak – Nigeria, July–September 2014|journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|volume=63|issue=39|pages=867–872|issn=0149-2195|pmc=4584877|pmid=25275332}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WHO: EBOLA RESPONSE ROADMAP UPDATE|url=https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/136161/roadmapupdate10Oct14_eng.pdf;jsessionid=69E1E8294EA3AEB35CC8054F3B11F503?sequence=1|author=World Health Organisation|date=2014|website=WHO}}</ref>

====2014 Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act====
In January 2014, Jonathan signed into law the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act after it was passed by the [[Senate (Nigeria)|Senate]] and [[House of Representatives (Nigeria)|House of Representatives]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The law prohibits gay relationships, membership and other involvement in gay societies and organisations and gay marriages. The bill came after international polls showed that 98% of Nigerians did not think homosexuality should be accepted by society, the highest percentage of any country surveyed.<ref name=":1222">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-nigeria-banned-gay-marriage-and-gay-meetings-2014-1|title=The simple reason Nigeria just banned gay marriage and gay meetings|date=14 January 2014|website=Business Insider|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206094009/http://www.businessinsider.com/why-nigeria-banned-gay-marriage-and-gay-meetings-2014-1|archive-date=6 February 2015}}</ref> Penalties can be up to 14 years in prison for gay marriages and up to 10 years for other violations of the law.<ref>[[Associated Press]] (13 January 2014) [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/13/nigerian-president-signs-anti-gay-law Nigeria's president signs law imposing up to 14 years' jail for gay relationships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224234020/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/13/nigerian-president-signs-anti-gay-law|date=24 February 2017}} ''[[The Guardian]]''. Retrieved 18 January 2014.</ref> Within a short period, the federal police department compiled a list of 168 gay people who would subsequently be jailed. Within days 38 lesbian and gay people had been jailed, with arrests beginning during Christmas. The anti-[[LGBT]] bill stipulates that those who withhold the details of LGBT individuals face prison terms of up to five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/13/nigerian-president-signs-anti-gay-law|title=Nigeria's president signs law imposing up to 14 years' jail for gay relationships|date=13 January 2014|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210150816/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/13/nigerian-president-signs-anti-gay-law|archive-date=10 February 2014|access-date=10 February 2014}}</ref> His decision and the law itself have been described as controversial,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/nigerias-religious-leaders-welcome-controversial-anti-gay-law/2014/01/16/12485d88-7ef7-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html|title=Nigeria's religious leaders welcome controversial anti-gay law|author=Fredrick Nzwili|date=16 January 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021011029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/nigerias-religious-leaders-welcome-controversial-anti-gay-law/2014/01/16/12485d88-7ef7-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html|archive-date=21 October 2016}}</ref> but according to a poll, 92% of Nigerians supported the ban.<ref name=":1222" />

=== Security issues ===
Jonathan's administration was heavily criticized for its failure to tackle insecurity. The first major challenge was the [[October 2010 Abuja attacks|October 2010 Independence Day bombing]]. Okah told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonise political opponents, including former military head of state General [[Ibrahim Babangida]], and to win popular sympathy ahead of the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestreetjournal.org/2012/05/%E2%80%9Cjonathan-begged-me-to-blame-north-for-october-1-blasts%E2%80%9D-henry-okah-claims/|title='Jonathan Begged Me To Blame North For October 1 Blasts', Henry Okah Claims|date=2 May 2012|work=The Street Journal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506074422/http://thestreetjournal.org/2012/05/%E2%80%9Cjonathan-begged-me-to-blame-north-for-october-1-blasts%E2%80%9D-henry-okah-claims/|archive-date=6 May 2012|access-date=3 May 2012}}</ref>

====2011====
On 29 May 2011, a few hours after Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as president, [[May 2011 northern Nigeria bombings|several bombings purportedly by Boko Haram]] killed 15 and injured 55.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 16 June 2011, Boko Haram claimed to have conducted the [[2011 Abuja police headquarters bombing|Abuja police headquarters bombing]], the first known suicide attack in Nigeria.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Two months later the [[2011 Abuja United Nations bombing|United Nations building in Abuja was bombed]], signifying the first time that Boko Haram attacked an international organisation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 December 2014|title=Two Nigerian cities under attack|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30280888|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> In December 2011, it carried out [[2011 Damaturu attacks|attacks in Damaturu]] killing over a hundred people, subsequently [[December 2011 Nigeria clashes|clashing with security forces in December]], resulting in at least 68 deaths.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Two days later on [[December 2011 Nigeria bombings|Christmas Day, Boko Haram attacked]] several Christian churches with bomb blasts and shootings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Timeline of Boko Haram attacks and related violence – Nigeria|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/timeline-boko-haram-attacks-and-related-violence|website=ReliefWeb|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2012====
Following the [[January 2012 Northern Nigeria attacks]], which left over hundreds of casualties, [[Abubakar Shekau]], a former deputy of [[Mohammed Yusuf (Boko Haram)|Mohammed Yusuf]], appeared in a video posted on YouTube.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} According to [[Reuters]], Shekau took control of the group after the death of Yusuf in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 May 2014|title=Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18020349|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=25 September 2012|title=Boko Haram attacks – timeline|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/25/boko-haram-timeline-nigeria|access-date=30 May 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Abubakar|first=Tasiu|date=2014|title=The Boko Haram Sparks|url=https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/4530/1/The%20Media%20and%20Boko%20Haram1.pdf|journal=[[Journal of African Media Studies]]|pages=97–110|via=Openaccess.city.ac.uk}}</ref> Authorities had previously believed that Shekau died during the violence in 2009.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} By early 2012, the group was responsible for over 900 deaths. On 8 March 2012, a small [[Special Boat Service]] team and the Nigerian Army [[Sokoto hostage rescue attempt|attempted to rescue]] two hostages, Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara, being held in Nigeria by members of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation loyal to [[al-Qaeda]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The two hostages were killed before or during the rescue attempt. All the hostage takers were reportedly killed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Winnett|first=Robert|date=8 March 2012|title=British hostage killed in failed SBS rescue bid|journal=Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9132481/British-hostage-killed-in-failed-SBS-rescue-bid.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9132481/British-hostage-killed-in-failed-SBS-rescue-bid.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2020|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Boko Haram Declares War On Elderly People, Slaughter Over 50 In Borno|url=https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/boko-haram-declares-war-on-elderly-people-slaughter-over-50-in-borno/|date=22 December 2014|website=BizWatchNigeria.Ng|language=en-US|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2013====
On 18 March, a [[2013 Kano bus bombing|bus station was bombed in Kano]], with several casualties.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In May 2013, Nigerian government forces launched an offensive in the Borno region in an attempt to dislodge Boko Haram fighters after a state of emergency was called on 14 May 2013.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The state of emergency, applied to the states of [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]], and [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]] in northeastern Nigeria.<ref>Greg Botelho, [http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/africa/nigeria-violence "Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declares emergency in 3 states"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717215935/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/africa/nigeria-violence/|date=17 July 2013}}, CNN, 14 May 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.</ref> The offensive had initial success, but the Boko Haram rebels were able to regain their strength. Although initially offering amnesty, by June 2013 he ordered a 20-year jail term for anyone found to be in support of Boko Haram.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nigeria-violence-idUKBRE9540IJ20130605 "Nigeria orders 20-year jail term for Boko Haram support"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213411/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/05/uk-nigeria-violence-idUKBRE9540IJ20130605|date=25 May 2014}}. Reuters, 5 June 2013.</ref> In July 2013, Boko Haram [[Yobe State school shooting|massacred 42 students in Yobe]], bringing the school year to an early end in the state.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}  On 5 August 2013, Boko Haram launched dual attacks on Bama and Malam Fatori, leaving 35 dead.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Military-insurgents clashes kill 35 in Nigeria|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1034472|date=6 August 2013|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2014====
On 16 January 2014, it was reported that Jonathan had sacked his military high command in response to their inability to end the Islamist-led insurgency in Northern Nigeria.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759755 "Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202105439/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759755|date=2 December 2018}}, BBC News, 16 January 2014.</ref> On 14 April, over 200 schoolgirls in [[Chibok]] were [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|kidnapped]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} A few weeks later in May, a terrorist [[Chibok ambush|offensive]] was launched against the military in Chibok. Many demonstrations called for the government to be more responsive; Jonathan asked that demonstrators focus on blaming Boko Haram itself for the abductions.<ref>[http://www.nigerianeye.com/2014/05/blame-boko-haram-over-abduction-of.html Blame Boko Haram for the abduction of Chibok girls - Jonathan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195852/http://www.nigerianeye.com/2014/05/blame-boko-haram-over-abduction-of.html|date=25 May 2014}}. NigerianEye.com Retrieved 24 May 2014</ref> Jonathan initially denied that there had been any abduction at all, but then later signaled his government would do a prisoner release in exchange for the kidnapped girls. Discussions then took place in Paris with foreign ministers from France, Britain, the United States and Israel, where he agreed no deals should be struck with terrorists. He then called off the exchange at the last minute on 24 May 2014.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} This reportedly enraged Boko Haram leaders.<ref name="ExchangeScrapped222">{{cite news|url=http://www.nigeriasun.com/index.php/sid/222347979/scat/8db1f72cde37faf3/ht/Nigerian-government-called-off-deal-to-free-kidnapped-girls|title=Nigerian government 'called off deal' to free kidnapped girls|access-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528021909/http://www.nigeriasun.com/index.php/sid/222347979/scat/8db1f72cde37faf3/ht/Nigerian-government-called-off-deal-to-free-kidnapped-girls|archive-date=28 May 2014|publisher=Nigeria Sun}}</ref>

In May 2014, [[2014 Jos bombings|two bombs exploded in Jos]], resulting in the deaths of at least 118 people and the injury or over 56 others.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} During the [[June 2014 Northern Nigeria attacks]], a plaza in the capital city was bombed and hundreds of villagers attacked in a two-day killing spree in [[Kaduna State|Kaduna.]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In November, Boko Haram [[2014 Kano bombing|bombed the city of Kano]], attempting to assassinate the Emir [[Muhammadu Sanusi II]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Starting in late 2014, Boko Haram militants attacked several Nigerian towns in the North and captured them.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} This prompted the Nigerian government to launch an offensive, and with the help of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, they have recaptured many areas that were formerly under the control of Boko Haram. In late 2014, Boko Haram seized control of [[Bama, Nigeria|Bama]], according to the town's residents.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In December 2014, it was reported that "people too elderly to flee Gwoza Local Government Area were being rounded up and taken to two schools where the militants opened fire on them.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}" Over 50 elderly people in Bama were killed. A "gory" video was released of insurgents shooting over a hundred civilians in a school dormitory in the town of Bama.<ref>{{cite web|last=Muyiwa|first=Afolabi|title=AFRICAN INSURGENCY the challenges of peace and security|url=https://www.academia.edu/26978386|language=en}}</ref>

====2015====
Between 3 and 7 January 2015, Boko Haram attacked the town of [[Baga, Nigeria|Baga]] and [[2015 Baga massacre|killed up to 2,000 people]], perhaps the largest [[2015 Baga massacre|massacre]] by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 10 January 2015, a bomb attack took place at the Monday Market in [[Maiduguri]], killing 19 people.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The city is considered to be at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency. In the early hours of 25 January 2015, Boko Haram launched a major assault on the city.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 26 January 2015 [[CNN]] reported that the attack on Maiduguri by "hundreds of gunmen" had been repelled, but the nearby town of [[Monguno]] was captured by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The Nigerian Army claimed to have successfully repelled another attack on Maiduguri on 31 January 2015.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Starting in late January 2015, a coalition of military forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger began a [[counter-insurgency]] campaign against Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 4 February 2015, the [[Military of Chad|Chad Army]] killed over 200 Boko Haram militants.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Soon afterwards, Boko Haram launched an attack on the Cameroonian town of [[Fotokol]], killing 81 civilians, 13 Chadian soldiers and 6 Cameroonian soldiers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 17 February 2015 the Nigerian military retook Monguno in a coordinated air and ground assault.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 7 March 2015, Boko Haram's leader [[Abubakar Shekau]] pledged allegiance to the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) via an audio message posted on the organisation's Twitter account.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Nigerian army spokesperson Sami Usman Kukasheka said the pledge was a sign of weakness and that Shekau was like a "drowning man". That same day, [[March 2015 Maiduguri suicide bombing|five suicide bomb blasts]] left 54 dead and 143 wounded. On 12 March 2015, ISIL's spokesman [[Abu Mohammad al-Adnani]] released an audiotape in which he welcomed the pledge of allegiance, and described it as an expansion of the group's caliphate to West Africa.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Following its declaration of loyalty to ISIL, Boko Haram was designated as the group's "West Africa Province" (Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP) while Shekau was appointed as its first [[Vali (governor)|vali]] (governor). Furthermore, ISIL started to support Boko Haram, but also began to interfere in its internal matters. For example, ISIL's central leadership attempted to reduce Boko Haram's brutality toward civilians and internal critics, as Shekau's ideology was "too extreme even for the Islamic State".{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 24 March 2015, residents of [[Damasak]], Nigeria said that Boko Haram had taken more than 400 women and children from the town as they fled from coalition forces.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 27 March 2015, the Nigerian army captured [[Gwoza]], which was believed to be the location of Boko Haram headquarters.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On election day, 28 March 2015, Boko Haram extremists killed 41 people, including a legislator, to discourage hundreds from voting.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} [[Niger Army]] soldiers during [[counter-insurgency]] operations against Boko Haram in March 2015. In March 2015, Boko Haram lost control of the Northern Nigerian towns of [[Bama, Nigeria|Bama]] and [[Gwoza]] (believed to be their headquarters) to the [[Nigerian Army]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}  The Nigerian authorities said that they had taken back 11 of the 14 districts previously controlled by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In April 2016, four Boko Haram camps in the [[Sambisa Forest]] were overrun by the Nigerian military who freed nearly 300 females.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Boko Haram forces were believed to have retreated to the [[Mandara Mountains]], along the [[Cameroon–Nigeria border]]. On 16 March 2015, the Nigerian army said that it had recaptured Bama.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 27 March 2015, the day before the [[2015 Nigerian general election|Nigerian presidential election]], the [[Nigerian Army]] announced that it had recaptured the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

By April 2015, the Nigerian military was reported to have retaken most of the areas previously controlled by Boko Haram in Northeastern Nigeria, except for the [[Sambisa Forest]]. In May 2015, the Nigerian military announced that they had released about 700 women from camps in [[Sambisa Forest]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

=== 2015 election ===
[[File:Incoming and Outgoing Nigerian Presidents Wave to Crowd Amid Peaceful Inaugural in Abuja.jpg|thumb|Outgoing President Jonathan in handshake with newly sworn in President Muhammadu Buhari at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria, on 29 May 2015]]
{{Main|2015 Nigerian presidential election}}
Jonathan believed the APC's popularity was inflated, having made his view clear in an interview with [[TheCable|The Cable]], Nigeria's Independent Online Newspaper in 2015—just two days to the general elections. Jonathan said "I don't think Nigerians will make the mistake of voting for Buhari. Gen. Buhari, with due respect, is not the right option for Nigeria at this time. It is a gamble that is not worth taking. I may not be perfect as nobody is perfect. But I believe that come Saturday, the majority of Nigerian voters will choose me as the best candidate to lead the nation forward."<ref name="TheCable2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-interview-will-soon-see-apc-grossly-overrated-says-jonathan|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: You will soon see that APC is grossly overrated, says Jonathan – TheCable|date=26 March 2015|work=TheCable|access-date=11 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427183842/https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-interview-will-soon-see-apc-grossly-overrated-says-jonathan|archive-date=27 April 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 31 March 2015, Jonathan conceded the election to challenger [[Muhammadu Buhari]], who was sworn in to succeed him on 29 May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/buharis-campaign-nigerias-president-has-conceded-defeat/ar-AAah1AN?ocid=ansnewsap11|title = Cabinet minister: Nigerian president concedes to Buhari|date = 31 March 2015|access-date = 31 March 2015|website = MSN News|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103033/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/buharis-campaign-nigerias-president-has-conceded-defeat/ar-AAah1AN?ocid=ansnewsap11|archive-date = 2 April 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> Jonathan said in a statement he issued on 31 March 2015 that "Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian."<ref>{{cite web|first1=Isiaka|last1=Wakili|url=http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/nigeriavotes/88-fct/19742-jonathan-to-pdp-don-t-mourn-my-loss|title=Jonathan to PDP: Don't mourn my loss|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520073252/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/nigeriavotes/88-fct/19742-jonathan-to-pdp-don-t-mourn-my-loss|archive-date=20 May 2015|date=20 May 2015|website=Daily Trust|access-date=31 March 2015}}</ref>

==Post-presidency (2015–present)==
Since leaving office, Jonathan has continued to defend his administration. In 2019, he was appointed as the honorary special advisor to the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund board.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/05/24/goodluck-jonathan-gets-new-appointment/|title=Goodluck Jonathan gets new appointment|date=24 May 2019|work=P.M. News|access-date=7 September 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526212843/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/05/24/goodluck-jonathan-gets-new-appointment/|archive-date=26 May 2019|language=en-US}}</ref> In June 2019, Goodluck Jonathan was named chairperson of the newly inaugurated International Summit Council for Peace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legit.ng/1242326-goodluck-jonathan-international-appointment.html|title=Goodluck Jonathan emerges chairperson of International Summit Council for Peace|last=Yusuf|first=Omotayo|date=7 June 2019|website=Legit.ng|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607231212/https://www.legit.ng/1242326-goodluck-jonathan-international-appointment.html|archive-date=7 June 2019|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> In July 2020, Jonathan was appointed [[special envoy]] of the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS)<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 July 2020|title=ECOWAS names ex-president Jonathan special envoy for Mali|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ecowas-names-ex-president-jonathan-special-envoy-for-mali/|website=The Guardian}}</ref> to lead mediation talks during the [[2020 Malian protests]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 July 2020|title=Ex-Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan in Mali to mediate crisis|url=https://www.africanews.com/2020/07/16/ex-nigerian-president-goodluck-jonathan-in-mali-to-mediate-crisis//|website=Africanews}}</ref>

===2023 election===
It was alleged that Jonathan had expressed interest to stand for the [[2023 Nigerian presidential election]] under the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC). To achieve this, the APC primary nomination form was picked up for him by his supporters, which was debunked by his media aide Ikechukwu Eze.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-11 |title=2023 PRESIDENCY: Jonathan makes U-turn on APC ticket |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/2023-presidency-jonathan-makes-u-turn-on-apc-ticket/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===2023 Zimbabwean general election===
In 2023, Jonathan was appointed head of delegation for the [[African Union]] and [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa|COMESA]] in the [[2023 Zimbabwean general election]]. On Friday, 25 August 2023, he addressed a press briefing giving [[Zimbabwe Electoral Commission|Zimbabwe's electoral authority]] poor ratings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final AU, COMESA, EOM preliminary statement on 2023 harmonised elections |url=https://www.peaceau.org/uploads/final-au-comesa-eom-preliminary-statement-on-2023-harmonised-elections.pdf |website=African Union |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref> This was in harmony with similar findings by the [[Southern African Development Community|SADC]], SEAM delivered earlier in the same press briefing.

== Personal life ==
===Image===
Jonathan is known for sporting his trademark [[fedora]] that is commonly worn by inhabitants of the [[Niger Delta]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 April 2015|title=Luck runs out for president Goodluck Jonathan as Nigerian opposition wins landmark election |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1753496/no-luck-president-goodluck-jonathan-nigerian-opposition-wins-landmark |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>

=== Family ===
Jonathan and his wife, Dame [[Patience Jonathan]], have two children, Ariwera (son) and Aruabai (daughter).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ibenegbu|first=George|date=20 November 2018|title=Top facts from the biography of the former President Goodluck Jonathan|url=https://www.legit.ng/1134906-former-president-goodluck-jonathan-biography.html|access-date=22 January 2020|website=Legit.ng |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/jonathan-kids-patronize-nigerian-restaurant-london-may-day/ Photos: Jonathan, kids patronise Nigerian restaurant in London on May Day - Vanguard News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

=== Wealth ===
In 2007, Jonathan declared his assets worth a total of [[Naira|₦]]295,304,420 (then equivalent to US$8,569,662).<ref name="Profiles22" />

== Honours ==
===National honours===
*{{flag|Nigeria}}:
**[[File:Order of the Federal Republic (civil) - Nigeria - ribbon bar.gif|70px]] Grand Commander of the [[Order of the Federal Republic]] '''(GCFR)'''
**[[File:Ribbon bar of the Order of the Niger.gif|70px]] Grand Commander of the [[Order of the Niger]] '''(GCON)'''

===Foreign honours===
*{{flag|Namibia}}:
**[[File:Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis BAR.png|70px]] First Class of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Namibia|Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia mirabilis]] (22 March 2014)<ref>{{cite tweet|number=447212629182795776|user=renoomokri|title=President Jonathan being decorated as Grand Commander of Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, 1st Class.<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=22 March 2014}}</ref>

===Other honours===
*In 2013, Jonathan was awarded the [[Nigerian Chieftaincy|chieftaincy]] title of the '''Se lolia I''' of Wakirike Bese. His wife, Patience Jonathan, also received a title of her own during the same ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.informationng.com/2013/11/jonathan-wife-conferred-with-chieftaincy-titles.html/amp|title=Jonathan, Wife Conferred With Chieftaincy Titles|date=1 November 2013|work=Information NG|access-date=29 February 2020|location=Nigeria}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of governors of Bayelsa State]]
*[[List of heads of state of Nigeria]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Ayoade, John A., and Adeoye A. Akinsanya, eds. ''Nigeria's Critical Election, 2011'' (Lexington Books; 2012)

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20150211192237/http://goodluck.org.ng/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150205085112/http://www.goodluck4president.ng/ Goodluck4President]
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Goodluck-Jonathan Goodluck Jonathan]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Diepreye Alamieyeseigha]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Governors of Bayelsa State|Governor of Bayelsa State]]|years=2005–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Timipre Sylva]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Atiku Abubakar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Vice President of Nigeria]]|years=2007–2010}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Namadi Sambo]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Nigeria]]|years=2010–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Muhammadu Buhari]]}}
|-
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of the<br />[[Economic Community of West African States]]|years=2010–12}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alassane Ouattara]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]]<br />nominee for [[President of Nigeria]]|years=[[2011 Nigerian presidential election|2011]], [[2015 Nigerian general election|2015]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Atiku Abubakar]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes|list=
{{Nigerian Heads of State}}
{{BayelsaGovernors}}
{{Nigerian state governors 2003-2007 term}}
{{NigerianVicePresidents}}
{{Cabinet of Goodluck Jonathan}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Nigeria}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jonathan, Goodluck}}
[[Category:Goodluck Jonathan| ]]
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2015 Nigerian general election]]
[[Category:Governors of Bayelsa State]]
[[Category:Grand Commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic]]
[[Category:Ijaw people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nigerian Christians]]
[[Category:Nigerian zoologists]]
[[Category:People from Bayelsa State]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party presidents of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Presidents of Nigeria]]
[[Category:University of Port Harcourt alumni]]
[[Category:Vice presidents of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Candidates in the Nigerian general election, 2011]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party state governors of Nigeria]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party vice presidents of Nigeria]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian politicians]]
[[Category:Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians]]