The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced zero-rated access to selected educational platforms, thereby allowing eligible Nigerian students to access learning content without paying for data.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, explained that the initiative would provide eligible students with up to 100 megabytes of data daily to access approved educational platforms and content.
The EVC, who said the initiative was designed to make digital education more accessible to students, particularly those in underserved communities, explained that the design considered sustainability to ensure the cost of providing the service would not place an excessive burden on telecommunications operators.
He clarified: “The first time it was raised when we had that discussion, that was the first thing that we had to sit down and figure out. How can this be done in such a way that we are not putting too much burden on the networks?
“Sustainability was actually very key to the design of this initiative, and that is why we have a cap of 100 megabytes a day”, Maida added.
He said the daily allocation amounted to about 3GB per month, which the telecommunications operators have agreed to support the initiative as part of efforts to improve digital inclusion and contribute to Nigeria’s human-capital development, describing as a significant amount of data for eligible students to access educational resources.
According to him, the next phase of the initiative will focus on expanding connectivity to communities that remain unserved or underserved.
He said the 100MB daily allocation would be of limited benefit to students who live in areas without reliable network coverage.
Maida added: “So I think for me, the next thing is how can we aggressively take service to the unserved and underserved.
“With every additional community we’re able to give service, it means that we’re giving X number of students or children the opportunity to be educated or enlightened”, he added.
He assured that the NCC would continue working with operators and other stakeholders to improve the quality and reach of connectivity.
In his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the initiative was conceived around the need to remove the cost of internet access as a barrier to education.
Tijani, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Tunji Adeyemo, said the idea was discussed as part of efforts to extend educational resources to children in remote and underserved parts of the country.
Tijani noted that the initiative “is essential to effective learning. This initiative therefore represents significant steps toward making digital education more affordable, accessible, and inclusive, particularly for learners in underserved communities.”
While describing the programme as demonstrating the importance of collaboration between government, the education sector, telecommunications operators, technology platforms and educational institutions, the minister assured the NCC and other stakeholders of the ministry’s continued support for programmes promoting digital inclusion, affordable connectivity and access to knowledge.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the initiative would be available to students from October 1, 2026.
He hinted that the Federal Government was working to ensure that a child’s location or family income does not determine access to quality educational resources.
Alausa expatiated: “Digitalisation must ultimately reach every learner. A digital platform can be difficult for a child who cannot afford the data required to access excellent online lessons. The benefits of technology cannot be truly transformative if access remains determined by household income and geography.”
He said zero-rating approved educational platforms could turn mobile phones, tablets and computers into classrooms, libraries and gateways to knowledge, adding that the programme will initially target learners in senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions, with plans to extend it to other categories of learners.
The minister said: “Our vision must be that ultimately no Nigerian learner should be denied access to quality educational content simply because he or she cannot afford the data.”
Alausa, however, warned that zero-rating should not translate into unrestricted access to platforms that merely describe themselves as educational and that content made available to students must be credible, safe and aligned with Nigeria’s educational objectives and curriculum..
He explained: “For a child from a low-income household, the cost of data can determine whether an educational resource is accessible or inaccessible. Zero-rating therefore has the potential to transform a mobile phone, tablet or computer from simply a communication device into a classroom, a library and a gateway to opportunity.”