Nigerian students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions will receive 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily data from October 1, 2026, to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms under a new Federal Government initiative.
The programme is being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with telecommunications operators, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Tunji Alausa, minister of education, announced the commencement date on Thursday at the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria in Abuja.
“Let me let out the secret. This will be made available to Nigerian students from October 1st, 2026,” Alausa said.
Under the framework, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with a daily zero-rated data allowance of 100MB, which can be used to access educational websites and platforms approved by the NCC and Federal Ministry of Education.
The minister said the initiative would initially target students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being extended to other categories of learners.
“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,” he said.
Alausa said the cost of internet data remained a major barrier to digital education, particularly for students from low-income households.
He said zero-rated access would allow mobile phones, tablets and computers to serve as learning tools for students who may otherwise be unable to afford regular internet access.
Ayuba Shuaibu, director of policy, competition and economic analysis at the NCC, said the commission and the Ministry of Education would jointly approve the educational platforms to be whitelisted under the programme.
He said eligible platforms would include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.
“The framework also adopts the operator’s consult model for the initial rollout of the initiative. Under this model, a daily zero-rated data allowance of 100 MB will be provided by the participating MNOs for usage on approved websites and platforms,” Shuaibu said.
The scheme will provide zero-rated access to selected learning resources for students in public secondary schools and public tertiary institutions, meaning the approved data usage will not attract charges.
The framework also requires participating operators and platforms to comply with telecommunications regulations on cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection.
It includes provisions covering net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.
Rimini Makama, NCC executive commissioner for stakeholder management, said millions of students were unable to use digital learning platforms because of the cost of internet access.
“The Zero-Rated Access Initiative exists to erase that line. Its principle is simple: no learner should be shut out of educational content because of where they live or what their family earns,” she said.
Makama said the NCC, mobile network operators under ALTON, the Federal Ministries of Communications and Education and other partners had undertaken research, benchmarking, testing and consultations before developing the framework.
Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, represented by Adetunji Adeyemo, director, National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, described the programme as a step towards reducing the cost of digital education and expanding access, particularly for learners in underserved communities.
He pledged the ministry’s continued support for initiatives aimed at improving digital inclusion, affordable connectivity and access to knowledge.
Alausa also disclosed that the government was working on measures to regulate internet access for children below 16 years, with further details expected to be announced.
He said educational content accessible to children must be “appropriate, credible, safe and aligned with our educational objectives and our curriculum.”
The minister said the government was simultaneously expanding digitalisation across the education sector through the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and the Learner Identification Number.
He disclosed that more than 240,000 schools had been geo-mapped and geolocated nationwide, while the government was digitising the Annual School Census to collect data on enrolment, teachers, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, connectivity and school safety.
Abraham Oshadami, NCC executive commissioner for technical services, identified MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom among the major mobile network operators supporting the initiative.
