Five deaf Nigerian schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja, have emerged as global finalists at the 2026 Technovation Girls World Summit in Bengaluru, India, with an artificial intelligence-powered application designed to improve access to menstrual products and health information.
The team, known as the STRIM Girls, developed an application called Saving Pad to help girls locate sanitary pad banks, request menstrual products, and access menstrual education-council-launch-career-centre-to-prepare-students-for-global-healthcare-jobs/">health education. The innovation competed against entries from teams across more than 160 countries.
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The Technology Beyond Disability Initiative, which trained and mentored the students, announced the achievement in a statement on Monday, describing the project as an effort to use accessible technology to address period poverty, particularly among girls with disabilities.
The five team members are Adegbile Teniola Vivian, Sulaiman Maryam Adenike Isah, Moses Joy, Ukpapi Theresa Uzepi, and Yusuf Ruth.
The Saving Pad application features an interactive map showing nearby sanitary pad banks, a system for requesting products, a period tracker, and educational resources on menstrual health. It also allows coordinators to monitor supplies and receive alerts when stocks are running low, helping them organise timely restocking.
The students developed the solution to address difficulties girls face in obtaining sanitary products, especially those who are deaf or live with disabilities. The application is intended to make it easier for users to identify where assistance is available rather than struggle to find essential menstrual supplies.
Beyond its digital features, the project has progressed to a pilot programme in three special schools in Abuja, implemented in partnership with the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative. The pilot combines the application with physical sanitary pad banks to improve access for students.
The team plans to expand the initiative to primary healthcare centres and other underserved communities across Nigeria. The platform could also help non-governmental organisations and donor agencies track product distribution, identify areas of high demand and coordinate the replenishment of supplies.
At the international summit, the girls demonstrated how technology designed with accessibility in mind could address practical challenges affecting health, education and social inclusion. Their project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on good health and well-being, quality education and partnerships for development.
The students received a welcome at the airport upon their return to Nigeria, led by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, alongside members of her management team.
Their achievement highlights the potential of young Nigerians with disabilities to develop practical technological solutions when provided with training, mentorship, and opportunities to compete on international platforms.
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