The Federal Government has announced plans to provide Nigerian students with 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily internet data to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from October 1, 2026.
The initiative is being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
Alausa said the programme would initially benefit students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being expanded to other categories of learners.
“Let me let out the secret. This will be made available to Nigerian students from October 1st, 2026,” the minister said.
Under the initiative, participating mobile network operators will provide beneficiaries with a daily 100MB zero-rated data allowance, which can be used to access approved educational websites and platforms without data charges.
The minister said the initiative was aimed at reducing the cost of internet access, which he identified as a major barrier to digital education, particularly for students from low-income households.
“Our ambition must be that, ultimately, no Nigerian learner should be denied access to quality educational content simply because he or she cannot afford data,” Alausa said.
The NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, explained that the Federal Ministry of Education and the NCC would jointly approve platforms eligible for zero-rated access.
He said these would include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher-development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.
According to Shuaibu, the scheme would initially cover students in public secondary schools and public tertiary institutions.
The framework, he added, would also comply with regulations covering cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection, while incorporating safeguards for net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.
The NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said millions of Nigerian students currently face difficulties accessing digital learning platforms because of the cost of internet data.
She said the initiative was designed to ensure that learners were not excluded from educational opportunities because of their location or family income.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, represented by the Director of the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Adetunji Adeyemo, described the initiative as an important step towards improving digital inclusion and affordable access to education.
The NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, said major telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, were supporting the programme by providing free data allowances for learners to access approved educational platforms.
The government also disclosed that it was expanding the digitalisation of Nigeria’s education sector through initiatives including the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and Learner Identification Number.
Alausa further revealed that more than 240,000 schools had been geo-mapped and geolocated across the country, while the government was digitising the Annual School Census to collect data on enrolment, teachers, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, connectivity and school safety.
The minister also said the government was developing measures to regulate internet access for children below 16 years, with further details expected to be announced.
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