Federal government will begin providing five million students with 100 megabytes of free data daily from October 1 under a new zero-rated education access scheme, Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced Thursday.
The initiative, valued at 180 billion naira ($110 million) annually, aims to give learners unrestricted access to approved digital learning platforms without data costs.
Alausa made the disclosure in Abuja at the launch of the Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms and Content programme, organised with the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecom operators.
“Zero-rated access 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 human capital development,” the minister said.
“The benefit of technology cannot be truly transformative if access remains determined by household income and geography. By enabling learners to access approved educational platforms without bearing the cost of data, we are removing one of the most significant barriers to digital learning in Nigeria,” he added.
Under the plan, each of the five million beneficiaries will receive 100MB of sponsored data daily at a cost of 100 naira per user, amounting to 15 billion naira monthly.
Communications Minister Bosun Tijani, represented at the event, said the scheme would help bridge the digital divide, especially in rural areas.
“Education is fundamental to the development of our nation in this digital age. This initiative represents a significant step toward making digital education more affordable, accessible, and inclusive, particularly for learners in underserved communities,” he stated.
NCC Executive Commissioner Rimini Makama stressed that no student should be excluded from online learning due to cost or location.
“Learning has moved online, and connectivity is no longer a convenience; it is part of how education happens. No learner should be shut out of educational content because of where they live or what their family earns,” she said.
The government said the programme aligns with broader education reforms and that security agencies would soon announce guidelines to protect children under 16 from online risks.
