At just 21, Motunrayo Sanyaolu, a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), is making waves in the Nigerian tech and innovation space. In 2024, she became the first-ever recipient of the Engineering Spirit Award, recognizing her passion for invention, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving.
One of her standout projects is a low-cost heating blanket designed for underfunded clinics struggling with newborn hypothermia. The innovation, aimed at replacing unsafe alternatives like hot water bottles, is now being refined for clinical trials. Beyond healthcare, she’s also working on a real-life laser gun game, merging software and hardware in an exciting way.
Sanyaolu’s journey began with a love for robotics and tinkering, inspired by the movie Big Hero 6. After an early start in Python programming and IoT, she secured an internship at an innovation hub, gaining hands-on experience with 3D printing, hardware components, and prototyping tools. Now, she dreams of building an open-access lab where young engineers can bring their ideas to life.
Despite her achievements, she remains driven to improve, recently reflecting on how she could refine her self-published book on innovation for students. With her sights set on mastering mechatronics and IoT, she’s determined to gain financial independence—so she can one day focus on creating groundbreaking hardware solutions for the world.
Read the full article here: TechCabal