Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to regulate internet access for children under the age of 16. This initiative is aimed at protecting minors from cyber threats and inappropriate online exposure. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the launch of the Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms initiative, organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Alausa emphasized the necessity of establishing strict cybersecurity measures to safeguard young learners, even as the government works to expand digital learning infrastructure. “We will be regulating internet access for children below 16 years old, and further announcements on this will be coming from our security staff in the coming days or weeks,” he stated. He also highlighted the government’s responsibility to protect every Nigerian child from cyberattacks and harmful digital exposure.
The minister further stressed the importance of pairing digital inclusion with strict content regulation to prevent children from accessing unverified materials. He noted that while zero-rated access is important, the content available to children must be credible, safe, and aligned with educational objectives and curriculum.
Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, a member of the NCC Board of Commissioners, described zero-rated access as a significant step towards democratizing learning, akin to the digital e-book revolution. He emphasized that free connectivity to accredited academic sites ensures that students in both urban and rural areas have equal access to educational resources.
Sen. Mohammed Muntari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, praised telecommunications operators for using corporate social responsibility to support national education initiatives. He stated that this initiative complements other government efforts, such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), to ensure no child is left behind due to financial constraints.
Mr. Peter Akpatason, a member of the House Committee on Communication, pledged that the House of Representatives would provide parliamentary oversight to ensure telecommunication providers expand coverage to underserved communities. He emphasized that access to information should not be contingent on the ability to pay for data.
Popular Nigerian artiste and education advocate Teniola Apata (Teni) urged students to take advantage of the free data allocation to develop technical skills necessary for the global economy. She encouraged young Nigerians to embrace digital learning platforms as a means to prepare for future leadership roles.
Lastly, Mr. Oladipo Olugbemi, a representative of uLesson Group, reassured that edtech providers are committed to aligning content quality and user experience to facilitate smooth learning experiences for students across all regions.