Nigerian learners can access approved educational platforms on free data from today, October 1, 2026, as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) launch the Zero Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative.
Under the Operator-Sponsored Model, eligible users will receive up to 100 megabytes of free data daily. Used in full, that is about 700MB a week, roughly 3GB a month and up to 36.5GB a year, for studying, research, online courses and other academic activities.
The rollout was announced in a statement signed on September 30 by Nnenna Ukoha of the NCC’s Public Affairs Department and ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the programme is part of wider government efforts to build digital skills and human capital, and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy vision.
Maida acknowledged that 100MB may seem small, but said it adds up over months and years and across millions of learners. He described it as a significant investment by the industry in the country’s future.
He added that better connectivity would help bridge gaps in access to learning resources by linking students to teachers and materials regardless of location. He also called the programme a strategic investment for the telecoms sector, since a more productive workforce of future innovators would create new opportunities for it.
Adebayo said industry contributions, in cash and in kind, total almost ₦200 billion for the initial pilot of 5,000 learners. He said this covers the daily data allocation, network resources, devices, terminals and other support, with operators absorbing the cost of connectivity and network capacity.
He described the effort as a partnership in which government provides policy and the education framework, the NCC provides coordination and oversight, operators provide connectivity, and OEMs and TowerCos supply devices and other resources. He urged other stakeholders to contribute, noting that digital education also needs devices, suitable content, reliable infrastructure, digital literacy and sustained investment, and pledged that ALTON members will work with government to deliver lasting educational outcomes.
