Abuja: The Federal Government has announced a groundbreaking N180 billion annual zero-rated data initiative aimed at providing five million Nigerian students with free daily internet access to approved digital learning platforms starting October 1. This monumental step was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the official launch of the Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms and Content initiative held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators, will see five million learners receiving 100 megabytes of sponsored data daily at a cost of 100 Naira per user. This equates to N15 billion monthly and N180 billion annually, facilitating zero-rated educational access. Dr. Alausa emphasized the transformative potential of zero-rated access, which can turn mobile devices into classrooms, libraries, and gateways to human capital development.
The minister stressed that technology’s benefits cannot be fully transformative if access is restricted by household income and geography. By allowing learners to access approved educational platforms without bearing the data cost, the initiative aims to eliminate significant barriers to digital learning in Nigeria. He also urged international development partners, including UNESCO, to acknowledge the N180 billion data commitment as a crucial addition to President Bola Tinubu’s national education funding allocations.
Dr. Alausa highlighted that the initiative is aligned with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and the digitized Nigeria Education Management Information System (D-NEMIS). The Ministry has already geomapped and geolocated over 240,000 schools nationwide while deploying the Learner’s Identification Number (LIN) to track students from primary to tertiary levels. Additionally, security agencies are set to announce regulated internet access parameters for children under 16 years to protect underage learners from cyber threats.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, affirmed the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in rural communities. Represented by Adetunji Olugbenga, the Director, National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Tijani praised the NCC and telecommunication operators under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) for funding and executing the technical framework. He noted that education is fundamental to national development in this digital age, and the initiative is a significant step toward making digital education more affordable and inclusive, especially for underserved communities.
Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at NCC, stated that the framework would ensure no student is excluded from digital classrooms due to financial constraints. She highlighted that learning has moved online, and connectivity is now an essential part of education, ensuring no learner is denied access due to their location or family income.
Oladipo Olugbemi, a representative of uLesson Group, pledged technical support from the private edtech sector to guarantee platform quality and seamless access for students. He emphasized that zero-rated access to educational platforms is not just a technical decision but a statement affirming every learner’s right to education, irrespective of data costs.