The Federal Government has announced plans to give eligible Nigerian students 100MB of free mobile data every dayfor access to approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.
The initiative is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2026, with students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions expected to be the first beneficiaries.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the plan on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The programme is being developed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education.
Under the arrangement, participating network providers will offer eligible students a daily 100MB allowance specifically for accessing approved educational websites and online learning platforms without incurring additional data charges.
Alausa said the scheme would initially focus on students in senior secondary schools and higher institutions before being extended to other categories of learners.
He explained that the initiative was introduced to address the cost of internet access, which continues to prevent many students, particularly those from low-income households, from taking full advantage of online educational resources.
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According to the minister, removing data charges from selected learning platforms would make it easier for students to use smartphones, tablets and computers as tools for education.
He noted that with affordable access to digital resources, personal devices could effectively function as classrooms and libraries, giving students access to learning materials beyond the traditional school environment.
The government expects the zero-rated access initiative to support digital learning and reduce one of the major barriers limiting students’ participation in online education.