“I Joined Politics to Serve My People” – Ogooluwa/Surulere Federal Lawmaker, Ojo Makanjuola (SMATO)

In an era when political leadership is often measured by rhetoric rather than results, Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola (SMATO) continues to distinguish himself as a representative whose mandate is firmly rooted in service, not self-interest.

His journey from successful entrepreneurship to active political engagement is one driven by a passion to uplift communities and champion development where others have faltered.

As a sitting member of the House of Representatives representing Ogooluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency and serving as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals.

Hon. Makanjuola has consistently translated vision into tangible impact—reviving abandoned infrastructure, empowering thousands across sectors, and advancing national policy dialogue on solid minerals, youth employment, and energy reforms.

Hon. SMATO’s style of representation combines grassroots accessibility with legislative competence, making him one of the standout figures among the 10th National Assembly’s new class. His voice, both in the chamber and in his constituency, echoes a clear message: public office must be a platform for people-first development.

Hon. Makanjuola a member of the House of Representatives in Oyo State who represents Ogooluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, has reaffirmed that he joined politics to help his people and not to enrich himself, saying that his desire to help people led him into politics.

The lawmaker, who made this disclosure on Thursday during an interview with one of the representatives from Pakistan Television Corporation (PTC), emphasized that he had been a successful businessman before joining politics.

He declared: “I am a successful businessman and have been helping people before joining politics. There are more than 300 young people employed by my production company.

“I primarily participate in politics to support my people and provide good governance. I was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023. Before then, I had earlier served my people as the chairman of Surulere LCDA. Therefore, this is not my first time in public service. This has really given me the needed experience in a public office.

SMATO, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals and Chairman, House Committee on Friendship Group to Pakistan, outlined some of his accomplishments in the House, notably his recent involvement regarding the unstable electricity supply in the Ogbomoso zone.

He stated: “I was able to call on Adelabu Penkelemes, the Minister of Power, recently to discuss how to improve electricity with the 133kv at Iganmo to serve the Ogbomoso zone.

“Additionally, as people’s attention is now diverting from crude oil, I was able to urge Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, to utilise Nigeria’s solid minerals to their full potential in my capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Solid Minerals.

This will no doubt create job employment for the youths. I also led campaigns against illegal mining activities in the country.

When asked about his achievements since the assuming office, the lawmaker stated that, like Governor Seyi Makinde, he has been able to revive abandoned projects for the sake of the constituents and drill roughly 40 motorised boreholes.

Additionally, he highlighted other projects such as a well-equipped library/ICT in Arolu and Mayin Ward, also a block of classrooms, road construction, the provision of a 500KVA transformer, financial support for the ongoing construction of a police station, the empowerment of approximately 208 market traders with ₦100,000 each, the distribution of fertilisers and sprayers to approximately 6,000 farmers, the provision of freezers and generators for approximately 300 constituents, and a youth training program.

Ojo Makanjuola also revealed that there is an ongoing 12-borehole project across Ogooluwa/Surulere, which will be delivered for commissioning in a few weeks’ time.

The lawmaker disclosed that there is also an ICT centre project at Pontela and Iresa-pa, both in Ogooluwa and Surulere Local Governments, as well as plans to distribute educational materials to pupils and extend more financial support to farmers.

He, however, appealed to constituents to keep supporting him for more dividends of democracy.