Five hearing-impaired girls from a secondary school in Abuja have reached the finals of a global technology contest. Their app helps students find sanitary pads when they need them.
The students attend Government Secondary School, Kuje. They took part in the 2026 Technovation Girls World Summit in Bengaluru, India. Thousands of teams from more than 160 countries entered the contest.
Who the Girls Are
The team calls itself the STRIM Girls. Its members are Adegbile Teniola Vivian, Sulaiman Maryam Adenike Isah, Moses Joy, Ukpapi Theresa Uzepi and Yusuf Ruth.
The Technology Beyond Disability Initiative mentored them. The group announced the achievement in a statement on Monday.
What the App Does
The girls built an artificial intelligence-powered app called Saving Pad. It helps students find sanitary pad banks near them and ask for menstrual products. It also offers lessons on menstrual health.
The app was designed with hearing-impaired girls and students with disabilities in mind. These groups often face extra barriers when they need support.
Saving Pad also includes:
- An interactive map of pad banks
- A request system
- A period tracker
- Menstrual health education
Coordinators can also use the app to check stock levels. They get an alert when supplies run low.
Why They Built It
The girls explained their idea in simple terms. A girl should never have to ask what she will do when her period starts. She should already know where to go.
Pilot Programme and Plans
The team has teamed up with the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative. Together, they have started a pilot in three special schools in Abuja. Next, they plan to reach primary healthcare centres and vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
Charities and donor agencies can also use the platform. It lets them track distribution, watch demand and plan restocking of pad banks.
Recognition at Home
At the summit, the girls showed how accessible technology and community support can tackle menstrual health challenges. Their work supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals on good health, quality education and partnerships.
When they returned to Nigeria, officials welcomed them at the airport. Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi led the group. She is Director-General and CEO of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development. Members of her management team joined her.
