Federal Government to Give Students 100MB Free Daily Data for Educational Platforms

Federal Government to Give Students 100MB Free Daily Data for Educational PlatformsThe Federal Government has announced that Nigerian students will receive 100 megabytes of free daily data from October 1, 2026, to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.

 

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday at the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria in Abuja.

 

Alausa said the initiative, being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education, would initially cover students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being extended to other categories of learners.

 

“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 a daily zero-rated data allowance of 100MB for use on approved educational websites and platforms.

 

The minister said the initiative was aimed at removing the cost of internet data as a barrier to accessing quality education, particularly for learners from low-income households and underserved communities.

 

“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 explained that approved platforms would allow mobile phones, tablets and computers to serve as classrooms and libraries, expanding access to learning beyond conventional classrooms.

 

The NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the Federal Ministry of Education and the commission would jointly approve platforms to be whitelisted under the initiative.

 

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.

 

He added that the framework would require compliance with telecommunications regulations covering cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection, as well as safeguards on net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.

 

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 data.

 

“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,” Makama said.

 

The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader digitalisation programme for the education sector, which includes the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and Learner Identification Number.

 

Alausa also 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 improve data on enrolment, teachers, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, connectivity and school safety.

 

The minister further announced plans to regulate internet access for children below the age of 16 as part of efforts to strengthen online child protection.

 

He said educational content available to children must be “appropriate, credible, safe and aligned with our educational objectives and our curriculum.”

 

Major telecommunications operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, were identified as supporting the implementation of the initiative.

 

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 programme as a significant step towards improving digital inclusion and affordable access to knowledge.

 

The government said the initiative would ultimately seek to ensure that poverty or geographical location does not prevent Nigerian learners from accessing quality educational content.