The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions will begin receiving 100MB of free data daily from October 1, 2026, under a new initiative aimed at expanding access to digital education.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the commencement date in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The programme is being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Under the arrangement, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with a daily 100MB data allowance for accessing approved educational websites and digital learning platforms without incurring data charges.
The initiative is expected to initially reach about five million students, with the government planning to extend the programme to other categories of learners in the future.
Alausa said the programme was introduced to address the cost of internet access, which remains a significant barrier to digital learning, particularly for students from low-income households and underserved communities.
He explained that removing data costs from approved educational platforms could allow smartphones, tablets and computers to function more effectively as classrooms and digital libraries.
The platforms eligible for zero-rated access are expected to include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms and technical and vocational education resources.
The framework also requires participating operators and platforms to comply with regulations relating to cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data privacy. It includes safeguards intended to promote net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.
The Federal Government is also pursuing wider digital reforms in the education sector. More than 240,000 schools have reportedly been geo-mapped and geolocated, while digital systems are being developed to improve the collection and management of education data.
A Learner Identification Number is also being developed to provide learners with a unique education identity and help track their educational journey from primary through tertiary education.
The initiative is expected to provide significant savings for beneficiaries. Government estimates indicate that 100MB daily for five million students would amount to about 15 billion megabytes of data each month, with an estimated annual data value of ₦180 billion.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said the programme goes beyond providing internet connectivity, describing access to knowledge as an important driver of innovation, human capital development and economic growth.
Telecommunications operators participating in the programme are also expected to continue expanding network capacity, particularly in communities where connectivity remains limited.
The Federal Government said the initiative would help reduce the digital divide by making access to educational content less dependent on students’ ability to afford regular internet data.
The nationwide rollout is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, with further details expected on eligible beneficiaries and the approved educational platforms.
