In August 2024, the engineering faculty at the University of Lagos celebrated the end of the academic year with an awards dinner. A new award, the Engineering Spirit Award, was introduced, and the first recipient was a third-year electrical engineering student named Motunrayo Sanyaolu. Sanyaolu was known for her passion for innovation and had already made a mark on campus by working on tech projects and mentoring fellow students.
One of Sanyaolu’s notable projects was a low-cost heating blanket designed as an off-grid solution for underfunded clinics. The blanket aimed to address the high rate of hypothermia affecting newborns in hospitals. Sanyaolu’s dedication to her projects and her innovative spirit earned her recognition among her peers and faculty members.
Sanyaolu’s journey into engineering and innovation stemmed from her early fascination with robotics and a desire to create like the characters she admired in movies. Despite facing challenges like a university strike, she persevered and delved into programming and hardware development, eventually landing an internship at an innovation hub.
Her internship provided her with the resources and tools to bring her ideas to life, including access to 3D printers and development kits. Sanyaolu’s vision extends beyond building products; she aspires to create a future where others can bring their ideas to fruition.
In addition to her technical pursuits, Sanyaolu authored a book aimed at inspiring engineering students to pursue hands-on experiences and technical skills. While she acknowledges areas for improvement in her book, she remains focused on mastering her career and working towards financial stability to pursue her passion projects.
Sanyaolu’s disciplined routine and unwavering vision reflect her commitment to her goals. She envisions a future where she can empower others to innovate and create. In the short term, she looks forward to the possibility of winning the Engineering Spirit award again, ready to offer tough competition to any new contenders.