SARAFACDI launched the second TechUpRuralGirls program with SabiAI to train rural girls in Ondo.
The initiative offers digital skills, AI learning and internships to boost inclusion and opportunities.
The Slum and Rural Aid for African Child Development Initiative (SARAFACDI) has launched the second edition of its TechUpRuralGirls program, in collaboration with SabiAI, an artificial intelligence-powered WhatsApp learning tool designed to enhance digital inclusion among rural girls in Ondo State.
The initiative, starting on September 25 at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure, will train 30 vulnerable girls aged 13–23 and 10 teachers from three schools in the state capital.
Digital skills training for girls
Under the program, participants will receive training in:
- Computer and AI literacy
- Graphic and web design
- Robotics
- Social media management
- Photography
To encourage long-term learning, SARAFACDI plans to establish ICT clubs and organize inter-school competitions. The top 10 participants will also gain internship opportunities with government agencies and private sector partners.
The newly launched SabiAI platform will deliver literacy, numeracy, and digital skills through chat and voice in multiple local languages. This approach is designed to make education more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for children in rural communities.
Citing statistics, the NGO highlighted that women represent only 22% of engineering and technology graduates in Nigeria (National Bureau of Statistics) and that over half of the world’s women lack internet access (International Telecommunication Union).
Founder Blessing Dada described the program as a critical step toward bridging gender inequality in digital literacy.
“TechUpRuralGirls II and the launch of SabiAI represent a new frontier for inclusive education.
By integrating face-to-face digital skills training with an AI-driven WhatsApp platform, we are overcoming barriers related to access, language, and cost. This ensures that rural girls and indeed all children can learn, innovate and lead in Nigeria’s digital future,” she said.
The training will run from September to November 2025, with the SabiAI pilot program targeting 200 children across rural communities in Ekiti and Ondo States.
The NGO said the initiative demonstrates its commitment to building a future where no child is left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
