The Federal Government has announced plans to provide Nigerian students with 100 megabytes of free data daily to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from Independence Day, 1st October 2026.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the rollout date Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The programme, being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education, will initially cover students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Alausa said, “Let me let out the secret.
“This will be made available to Nigerian students from October 1st, 2026.”
Under the scheme, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with a daily 100MB allowance that can be used on approved educational websites and platforms without data charges.
The minister said the initiative was designed to address the cost of internet access, which remains a major barrier to digital learning, especially for students from low-income families.
“Our ambition must be that, ultimately, no Nigerian learner should be denied access to quality educational content simply because he or she cannot afford data,” Alausa said.
NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis Ayuba Shuaibu said approved platforms could include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher-development platforms, and technical and vocational education platforms.
He said, “A daily zero-rated data allowance of 100 MB will be provided by the participating MNOs for usage on approved websites and platforms.”
The scheme will not provide unrestricted free internet access.
The government said the programme would later be expanded to other categories of learners.
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