By Lanre Oloyede
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has applauded five Nigerian deaf students for their outstanding achievements in flying the nation’s flag high on the global stage.
The students, Adegbile Teniola Vivian, Sulaiman Maryam Adenike Isah, Moses Joy, Ukpapi Theresa Uzepi and Yusuf Ruth, popularly known as the STRIM Girls, from Government Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja, emerged as global finalists at the 2026 Technovation Girls World Summit held in Bengaluru, India.
The achievement has earned the students national recognition, demonstrating the immense potential of young Nigerians with disabilities to compete, innovate and excel at the highest international levels when given the right opportunities and support.
According to reports, participants from more than 160 countries took part in the competition, where the Nigerian deaf girls distinguished themselves with their innovative project, Saving Pad (SP), an Artificial Intelligence-powered application designed to help girls locate sanitary pad banks, request menstrual products and access menstrual health education.
The innovation addresses critical challenges surrounding menstrual health, access to sanitary products and health information, particularly among girls and young women who face economic and social barriers.
In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Communications Strategy, Mr. Lanre Oloyede, the presidential aide described the feat as exceptional, inspiring and worthy of national celebration.
Abba Isa said the girls had demonstrated that disability was not a limitation to ambition, creativity or excellence, stressing that their accomplishment represented a powerful message of hope to millions of young Nigerians.
“These five exceptional girls have shown the world that no barrier is strong enough to stop a determined mind, a courageous heart and a dream backed by hard work, creativity and the right support.
“Their achievement is not just a personal victory; it is a victory for Nigeria, a triumph for inclusive education and a powerful statement that deafness is not an obstacle to greatness.
“At a time when the world is increasingly driven by technology and innovation, these young Nigerians have demonstrated that talent knows no disability and that brilliance can emerge from any classroom when young people are empowered to discover and develop their potential,” he said.
The presidential aide added that the girls had given Nigeria a compelling reason to celebrate, noting that their success was particularly significant because they had overcome communication barriers and other challenges often encountered by students with hearing disabilities.
He said their emergence as global finalists should inspire a new generation of students with disabilities to reject self-doubt, embrace their talents and pursue their dreams with determination.
According to him, the achievement is a visible and tangible demonstration of the investment and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, to promoting inclusive education, expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities and ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind.
Abba Isa noted that inclusive education must go beyond providing access to classrooms to creating an enabling environment where students with disabilities can acquire digital skills, participate in scientific innovation and compete favourably with their peers across the world.
He said the STRIM Girls’ success underscores the importance of investing in accessible learning environments, assistive technologies, digital literacy and mentorship programmes that enable students with disabilities to transform their ideas into practical solutions.
“The Presidency is immensely proud of these five heroines. They have made Nigeria proud, inspired the disability community and reminded us that when opportunities are made accessible, young people with disabilities can achieve extraordinary things.
“Their story is a testament to the Renewed Hope that President Tinubu’s administration is working to build—a Nigeria where every child, irrespective of disability or background, has the opportunity to learn, innovate, contribute and succeed,” he added.
The presidential aide also commended the teachers and management of Government Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja, for their dedication, commitment and support in nurturing the students’ talents.
He said the school’s role in encouraging the girls to explore technology and develop their innovative abilities deserved recognition, adding that teachers and school administrators remained critical partners in the quest to build an inclusive and technologically empowered generation.
Abba Isa equally applauded the Technology Beyond Disability Initiative (TechBDI) for believing in the abilities of deaf students and providing the mentorship and guidance that helped the girls translate their ideas into an innovation worthy of global recognition.
He described the initiative as an important example of how collaboration among educators, technology advocates and disability inclusion organisations could unlock the potential of students with disabilities.
He urged corporate organisations, development partners, technology companies and other stakeholders to invest more in programmes that expose students with disabilities to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, digital entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
The presidential aide further encouraged other students with disabilities across the country to emulate the STRIM Girls by remaining focused, embracing learning opportunities and striving for excellence.
He urged them to see their achievement as proof that their dreams were valid and attainable, regardless of the challenges they might face.
“To every Nigerian student with a disability who is watching this story, let these five heroines be your inspiration. Your disability does not define the limits of your future. Dare to dream, acquire the skills you need, believe in your abilities and keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
“Nigeria needs your ideas, your creativity and your talents. You, too, can become global technology leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and role models who will help shape the future of our country and the world,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities to advancing inclusive education, promoting equal opportunities and supporting initiatives that enable persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The emergence of the STRIM Girls as global finalists at the 2026 Technovation Girls World Summit stands as an inspiring reminder that when talent meets opportunity, young Nigerians with disabilities can rise above barriers, achieve global recognition and bring honour to their country.
