By David Lawani, Abuja
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has launched an initiative providing eligible learners with up to 100 megabytes of free data daily to access approved educational platforms.
The zero-rated data initiative commenced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, and is designed to reduce the cost of digital learning while expanding access to online courses, research materials and other educational resources.
Under the operator-sponsored scheme, learners receiving the full 100MB daily allocation could access up to 700MB of educational content weekly, about 3GB monthly and approximately 36.5GB annually.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative formed part of broader efforts to expand digital access, develop skills and strengthen human capital.
Maida said the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, noting that achieving such an ambition required sustained investment in education, skills development and learning opportunities.
He said the significance of the initiative extended beyond the daily allocation, given its potential cumulative impact on millions of learners.
“One hundred megabytes of data might sound like 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, wider connectivity would help reduce disparities in access to educational resources by linking learners with teachers, learning materials and knowledge regardless of their location.
Maida described the initiative as an investment in Nigeria’s future, saying improved access to digital education would help create a more productive workforce capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said the telecommunications and wider technology industry had committed almost N200 billion in financial and in-kind resources to the initial pilot involving 5,000 learners.
He said the commitment covered the value of the daily data allocation, network resources, devices, terminals and other contributions from participating industry stakeholders.
Adebayo said operators were absorbing the cost of connectivity and network capacity required to provide learners with daily access to approved educational platforms.
He said the initiative had attracted participation from telecommunications operators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), TowerCos and other technology stakeholders.
According to him, the programme would help learners prepare for examinations, conduct research, acquire digital skills and participate in the emerging digital economy.
Adebayo said the initiative represented a partnership between government and industry, with government providing the policy and educational framework, the regulator coordinating the programme, and technology companies contributing connectivity, devices and other resources.
He urged other stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that connectivity alone would not guarantee effective digital education.
The ALTON chairman said access to appropriate devices, quality educational content, reliable infrastructure, digital literacy and sustained investment would also be necessary for meaningful results.
“Investing in education is investing in Nigeria’s future, and the telecommunications industry is putting its resources behind that future,” Adebayo said.
