NGO launches AI WhatsApp learning tool and skills programme for rural girls in Ondo
On 13 September 2025, the Slum and Rural Aid for African Child Development Initiative (SARAFACDI) announced the second edition of its TechUpRuralGirls programme and the launch of SabiAI, an AI-powered WhatsApp learning tool built to expand access for rural learners.
The cohort begins on September 25 at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure. Over September to November 2025, the programme will train 30 vulnerable girls (ages 13-23) and 10 teachers from three schools, while the SabiAI pilot targets 200 children across rural Ekiti and Ondo States.
What participants will learn
- Computer literacy and AI literacy
- Graphic design and web design
- Robotics
- Social media management
- Photography
The top 10 participants will be connected to private and government partners for internships. To sustain learning, the NGO will establish ICT clubs and inter-school competitions.
How SabiAI supports access
SabiAI delivers literacy, numeracy, and digital skills through WhatsApp using chat and voice in multiple local languages. This lowers barriers tied to cost and language, helping more rural children access guided learning with tools they already use.
Why this matters for educators
The group cited national data showing women account for just 22% of engineering and technology graduates in Nigeria. Globally, more than half of women lack internet access, according to the International Telecommunication Union (source).
This model blends face-to-face instruction with low-cost, mobile-first delivery. For schools, it offers a clear path to reach learners beyond the classroom while building practical, job-relevant skills.
How schools can plug in
- Integrate short WhatsApp-based lessons to reinforce classroom content and reach students after school hours.
- Stand up ICT clubs with weekly challenges and peer-led workshops; use inter-school competitions to keep momentum.
- Add AI literacy modules: prompt basics, data ethics, and how to evaluate AI outputs.
- Prioritize local language content and voice notes for students with lower reading proficiency.
- Support staff development with structured AI training paths (course lists by job role).
What the organisers say
"TechUpRuralGirls II and the launch of SabiAI represent a new frontier for inclusive education. By combining face-to-face digital skills training with an AI-powered WhatsApp platform, we are breaking barriers of access, language and cost. This ensures that rural girls and indeed all children can learn, innovate and lead in Nigeria's digital future," said SARAFACDI founder, Blessing Dada.
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