Nigerian-born inventor and entrepreneur Oluwatobi Oyinlola has achieved a milestone by developing the world’s smallest GPS tracking device prototype, measuring just 22.93 mm by 11.92 mm. The feat was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, marking a significant advancement in miniaturized technology with wide-ranging applications across industries.
President Bola Tinubu lauded Oyinlola’s achievement as a testament to Nigerian ingenuity and the potential of the country’s youth. “You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” the President declared on social media, highlighting the device’s promise to transform sectors from logistics to personal security.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, described the record as a success story that reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing local talent. He emphasized Oyinlola’s journey from his IoT startup to his current research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he continues to push the boundaries of embedded systems and Internet of Things (IoT) innovation.
Oluwatobi Oyinlola, popularly known as “Internet of Tobi,” hails from Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria. His expertise spans embedded systems design, robotics, firmware engineering, and IoT solutions aimed at addressing critical challenges in Africa. His previous accomplishments include being named an Intel Software Innovator and contributing to projects such as Elon Musk’s Hyperloop engineering team.
The new GPS tracker prototype is poised to revolutionize how location data is captured and utilized, offering unprecedented portability and efficiency. By shrinking the size of GPS technology, Oyinlola’s invention opens doors for enhanced tracking in fields like healthcare, transportation, security, and beyond.
Social media users and tech enthusiasts across Nigeria and Africa celebrated the achievement as a proud moment for the continent. Many called on the Nigerian government to leverage Oyinlola’s expertise to inspire and mentor the next generation of innovators.
This record-setting innovation adds to Nigeria’s growing list of global achievements in technology and innovation.
