Oluwatobi “Tobi” Oyinlola is a Nigerian inventor, entrepreneur, and researcher focused on the Internet of Things. He works with the MIT Senseable City Lab, where he develops data-driven solutions for urban environments. He studied Telecommunications at Tai Solarin University of Education and went on to earn a master’s degree in IoT and Embedded Computing from the University of Rwanda, supported by a World Bank scholarship.
In 2015, he built Nigeria’s first pay-as-you-go solar energy system, designing the hardware locally and managing its production in China. He later developed SolarPocha, the world’s first solar-powered IoT workstation, which earned him a spot on the shortlist for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize in 2022.
Tobi holds the Guinness World Record for creating the smallest GPS tracking device ever built, measuring just 22.93 by 11.92 millimeters. His achievement has been recognized both nationally and internationally, with praise from President Tinubu and features in major media outlets. The device has wide potential across logistics, personal safety, and healthcare.
He has contributed to the MIT City Scanner project, helping make urban sensing technology more accessible, and has worked on Hyperloop avionics systems with rLoop. As an Intel Software Innovator and board member of the Open Source Hardware Association, he continues to support open innovation across the tech space.
Tobi has been named one of the Most Influential Young Nigerians in both 2018 and 2019. His work bridges invention and impact, combining deep technical skill with a strong belief in technology that improves everyday life.
Other Team Members
Busayo Alabi
