Two brilliant UNILAG Faculty of Engineering alumni, Sultan Sunmola and Olusanya Ifedayo (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2019), are turning heads in the tech world with their bold venture into robotics and artificial intelligence. Their company, Robo Nish Technologies, is developing AI-powered autonomous delivery robots—a first-of-its-kind solution being piloted at Nicon Town Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

The Vision

After pursuing postgraduate studies in the U.S. — Sunmola at INSEAD Business School and Ifedayo at New York University (NYU) — the duo returned determined to address Africa’s mobility gaps. They saw potential in bringing multimodal transport and unmanned delivery systems to Nigerian communities.

“We wanted to bring the experience of autonomous mobility back home, starting with secure, controlled spaces like campuses and estates,” said Sunmola.

The Technology

• Autonomous Navigation: The robot operates at Level 4 autonomy — able to navigate complex routes independently within a defined area.
• Sensors & AI: Equipped with cameras, GPS, and advanced AI algorithms to detect and avoid obstacles.
• Security: Robots come with real-time surveillance, tamper alerts, and PIN/Face ID package access for residents.

How It Works

1. Item is loaded into the robot at the estate gate.
2. Robot navigates autonomously to the resident’s address.
3. Recipient unlocks and retrieves their package.
4. Robot returns to base or continues to the next task.

This system not only enhances delivery convenience but also reduces security risks posed by third-party riders in private communities.

Business Model

• Subscription-based service for estates.
• On-demand deliveries via a mobile app.
• Future plans to license the robot tech to logistics and security firms.

Despite challenges like high hardware costs and cautious investors, the Robo Nish team is pushing forward — already seeking strategic funding partners to expand beyond Lagos.

UNILAGFEAA’s Take

This is exactly the type of visionary engineering UNILAGFEAA exists to promote.

• It showcases local innovation with global relevance.
• Demonstrates the value of a UNILAG engineering education on the world stage.
• Presents inspiring mentorship opportunities for current students.
• And highlights how alumni can pioneer industry-academic collaboration in Nigeria.

We are proud of Sultan and Ifedayo—and we look forward to more great innovations from our community!

Get Involved:
Know an inspiring alumnus or project? Nominate them for the next UNILAGFEAA Spotlight.
Let’s keep celebrating excellence and building the future—together.

📰 Source:
Techpoint Africa – “These UNILAG graduates are building an AI-powered delivery robot for Nigerian estates”
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