By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in partnership with the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has commenced the rollout of a zero-rated data access initiative that will provide eligible learners with up to 100 megabytes of free daily data for educational purposes.
The initiative, which takes effect on October 1, 2026, is designed to reduce the cost of digital learning and expand access to approved educational platforms, online courses, research materials and other academic resources.
Under the operator-sponsored model, a learner receiving the full 100MB daily allocation could access about 700MB of educational content weekly, approximately 3GB monthly and up to 36.5GB annually.
The NCC said the programme forms part of its mandate to promote modern, universal, reliable, affordable and accessible communications services across Nigeria.
Speaking on the rollout, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the initiative was part of broader efforts to equip Nigerians with digital skills and knowledge while advancing human capital development.
Maida said the programme also aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, noting that education, skills development and access to learning opportunities would be critical to achieving that objective.
He said the impact of the initiative should be considered beyond the daily 100MB allocation, particularly when measured over months and years and across the millions of learners expected to benefit.
“One hundred megabytes of data might sound a little, but when you look at it over a month and over a year, and cumulatively over the millions of learners and students that are going to access it, it’s really a significant investment by the industry towards the future of this country,” Maida said.
According to him, improved connectivity would help reduce disparities in access to educational resources by connecting learners to teachers, learning materials and knowledge resources regardless of their location.
Maida described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and the telecommunications industry, saying greater access to digital education could help produce a more productive workforce capable of driving innovation, economic growth and national development.
“If the economy becomes more productive through these people who access these educational platforms, they are the future innovators in Nigeria, they are the ones who are going to come up with ideas and become leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
He added that the initiative was focused on long-term national development rather than short-term gains industry commits nearly ₦200bn
ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said the telecommunications and wider technology industry had committed financial and in-kind resources valued at almost ₦200 billion to the initial pilot involving 5,000 learners.
Adebayo said the figure covered the daily 100MB connectivity allocation, network resources, devices, terminals and other support provided by industry stakeholders.
He said telecommunications operators were absorbing the cost of the connectivity and network capacity required to provide daily access to approved educational platforms.
According to him, the commitment reflects the industry’s support for the Federal Government’s education and digital inclusion objectives.
Adebayo said the initiative had attracted participation across the technology ecosystem, including telecommunications operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), TowerCos and other technology stakeholders.
He stressed that the value of the programme should not be measured only by the volume of data provided, but also by its potential to enable learners to prepare for examinations, conduct research, acquire digital skills and participate in the digital economy.
“This is a partnership in the truest sense: Government provides the policy and educational framework; the regulator provides coordination and oversight; telecommunications operators provide connectivity and network resources; while OEMs, TowerCos and other technology partners contribute devices, terminals and other critical resources,” Adebayo said.
He called on other stakeholders to support the initiative, noting that the success of digital education would require more than connectivity.
According to him, access to appropriate devices, quality educational content, reliable infrastructure, digital literacy and sustained investment would also be essential to achieving lasting results.
“The telecommunications industry has demonstrated its willingness to lead by example,” Adebayo said, describing the initiative as an expression of confidence in Nigeria’s young people and the country’s future.
He said ALTON and its members would continue to work with the Federal Government, NCC, Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that the investment translates into measurable and sustainable educational outcomes.
“Investing in education is investing in Nigeria’s future and the telecommunications industry is putting its resources behind that future,” Adebayo said.
