Lukmon Atobatele: Ten Most Exciting Moments of My Life

MEMORABLE MILESTONES

In every season of his life, from the corporate boardroom to public office, the moments that have defined Hon. Lukmon Atobatele have never been about personal achievement alone. Rather, they have been milestones where purpose met opportunity, lives were transformed, and service became its own reward, he tells Adedayo Adejobi

 The day I rebuilt a collapsing classroom instead of walking away

That was the moment politics became real for me. I attended my first ward meeting and discovered that party members were meeting inside a classroom that was almost falling apart. I could have complained like everyone else. Instead, I decided to rebuild it with my own money. Seeing that building transformed and watching people gather there with dignity gave me a feeling that no business success had ever given me. That was when I truly fell in love with grassroots politics. Why is it exciting? It was the turning point that transformed me from a successful businessman into a servant leader.

2. Winning my election after initially being denied a ticket

Many people would have walked away after failing to secure a party ticket. I did not. I kept serving quietly. Then came what I still call divine timing. The PDP approached me during the substitution window in 2022. I accepted the challenge, contested, and won. That victory was bigger than politics. It reminded me that patience often prepares you for something better than what you originally wanted. It was a classic story of perseverance, resilience, and eventual triumph.

3. Leaving a comfortable corporate career to answer a higher calling

I spent more than twenty years in banking, where integrity meant everything. I was doing well. I had built a successful career and later established my own business. Yet, I kept asking myself one question: Could I do more for people? Choosing to leave the comfort of the boardroom for the uncertainty of public service was frightening, but it became one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. It marked a complete reinvention of my life’s purpose.

4. Watching over 2,000 people receive free medical treatment because of an idea that started with compassion

Nothing compares to seeing someone smile after regaining their health. Every year, working with Nigerian-American doctors to provide surgeries, consultations, cataract operations, hernia repairs, and many other treatments has been deeply fulfilling. Watching thousands of people receive care they could never have afforded remains one of the proudest experiences of my life. It represented lives changed, not just projects completed.

5. Seeing blind constituents regain their sight

There are moments that stay with you forever. Watching constituents who had lived in darkness remove their bandages after cataract surgery and see again was one of those moments. Their joy, tears, and gratitude reminded me why public service matters. Money cannot buy that feeling. Very few achievements compare with restoring someone’s eyesight.

6. Watching young people discover a future through agricultural training

When we trained hundreds of young people in modern, soilless farming with support from the Mastercard Foundation, I saw hope come alive. Many of them came looking for an opportunity. They left with skills, confidence, and a pathway to earn a living. Empowering young people is one of the greatest joys of leadership. It is about creating opportunities that can change entire families for generations.

7. Becoming Deputy Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly

Being entrusted with a leadership role in the Assembly was a proud moment. It was not simply about holding an office. It was proof that my colleagues believed in my character, my judgment, and my ability to speak for others. Every responsibility I receive reminds me that leadership is earned through trust. It represents recognition by peers and increased responsibility.

8. Seeing roads and community projects become reality

There is something special about driving on a road that once caused frustration and seeing people use it every day. Whether it was roads, classrooms, water projects, or food interventions, each completed project reminded me that leadership should produce visible results. Those moments made every sacrifice worthwhile. They are tangible evidence that my work improves everyday life.

9. Realising that my father’s name had become my greatest source of accountability

Growing up as the son of the Balogun of Egbaland came with expectations. As I entered public life, I realised I was no longer representing only myself. Every decision reflected on my family, my heritage, and my faith. Reaching the point where people trusted me because of both my character and my family values remains deeply meaningful. It reflects personal growth and the fulfilment of a lifelong responsibility.

10. Hearing constituents say they trust me because I deliver more than I promise

One of the happiest moments in my journey has not been winning elections. It has been hearing ordinary people say, “He keeps his word.” I have always believed in under-promising and over-delivering. In politics, trust is the hardest currency to earn. Knowing that people believe in my word gives me greater satisfaction than any title ever could. It captures the lasting legacy every public servant hopes to build.

If I had to add one more unforgettable moment, it would be graduating from university after my parents sacrificed so much for my education. My degree in Applied Physics and, later, my MBA represented far more than certificates. They fulfilled my parents’ dream that education would become the foundation of everything I achieved afterwards. Looking back today, they were absolutely right.