The Federal Government has announced plans to provide Nigerian students with 100MB of free data every day from October 1, 2026, to enable them to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.
The initiative, being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education, will initially benefit learners in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, 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, acknowledging the contribution of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria to the programme.
Under the initiative, participating mobile network operators will provide a daily 100MB zero-rated data allowance, which beneficiaries can use to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms without paying for the data.
Alausa said the programme would initially cover students in senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being expanded 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,” the minister said.»
He said the cost of internet data had become a significant barrier to digital education, particularly for learners from low-income households.
According to the minister, providing free access to educational platforms could transform mobile phones, tablets and computers into classrooms and digital libraries for students who might otherwise struggle to access online learning resources.
Alausa also disclosed that the government was working on measures to regulate internet access for children below the age of 16, with further details expected to be announced.
He stressed that educational content made available to children must be “appropriate, credible, safe and aligned with our educational objectives and our curriculum”.
The minister said the government was also expanding the digitalisation of the education sector through the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and Learner Identification Number.
He disclosed 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 NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the Federal Ministry of Education and the commission would jointly approve the educational platforms to be whitelisted under the initiative.
He said eligible platforms would include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, as well as technical and vocational training platforms.
According to Shuaibu, participating mobile network operators would provide a daily 100MB zero-rated data allowance for access to approved websites and platforms.
He explained that the scheme would initially provide zero-rated access to selected learning resources for students in public secondary schools and public tertiary institutions.
The framework, he added, would comply with telecommunications regulations covering cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection. It would also include safeguards relating to net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.
Earlier, the NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said millions of students were unable to access digital learning platforms because of the cost of internet data.
She said the initiative was designed to ensure that no learner was excluded from educational content because of their location or household income.
Makama said the NCC, participating mobile network operators under ALTON, the Federal Ministries of Communications and Education, and other stakeholders had conducted research, benchmarking, testing and consultations before developing the framework.
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 a significant step towards making digital education more affordable and accessible, particularly for learners in underserved communities.
He pledged the ministry’s continued support for initiatives promoting digital inclusion, affordable connectivity and access to knowledge.
In his closing remarks, the NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, identified MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom among the major mobile network operators supporting the programme.
He thanked the operators for their commitment to providing free data allowances for learners to access approved educational platforms.
The initiative is expected to take effect nationwide from October 1, 2026, beginning with students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
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