Born in Mushin, Lagos in 1969, he began his professional training in Federal Polytechnic Oko in 1986 where he obtained the Ordinary National Diploma under the tutelage of renowned Chike Ebebe.
He completed his higher education at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, between 1989 and 1991 and majored in sculpture. Ato had been an independent studio artist since 1991, practicing as a sculptor and a potter with special interest in portrait sculptures and statues. His grasp for forms attests to his skills particularly in handling figural sculptures.
Ato had participated in many exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad, he was a recipient of the Solidara Award for Sculpture and Pottery in 2002 and in 2008 was awarded the Society Nigerian Artist (Lagos State Chapter)-Distinguished Artist Award. Ato’s works continues to be in high demand in Nigeria and abroad.
