The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative to expand affordable access to digital learning resources and reduce educational inequalities across Nigeria.

‎The initiative provides eligible users with up to 100 megabytes of free daily data to access approved educational platforms. Under the Operator-Sponsored Model, the allowance could provide up to 700MB of educational data weekly, about 3GB monthly and as much as 36.5GB annually for each eligible user.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative was part of broader government efforts to equip Nigerians with digital skills and knowledge. He said improved internet access was essential to ensuring that citizens could fully benefit from digital education and skills-development programmes.

Maida said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, noting that the goal would depend significantly on developing Nigeria’s human capital. He described the programme as a strategic investment in the country’s future rather than a short-term cost to the telecommunications industry.

The NCC said the programme could help bridge disparities in access to teachers, learning materials and educational opportunities by connecting students to digital resources regardless of their location. The Commission added that the 100MB daily cap was designed to promote sustainability, while participating educational platforms would be encouraged to optimise their services to minimise data consumption.

‎According to the NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, the programme will be governed jointly by the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Education, which will approve and whitelist participating platforms. Eligible platforms include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.

Shuaibu said several educational platforms had already been assessed, approved and whitelisted for the initial rollout, with additional platforms expected to be incorporated over time. He added that the initiative would be monitored through indicators including platform usage, data consumption, service availability, consumer complaints, network performance and compliance with relevant regulations.

The NCC Board Chairman, Idris Olorunnimbe, described the initiative as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to education, while the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commended the Commission for spearheading the programme.

Alausa said the initiative would address the cost of internet access, which he identified as one of the major barriers to digital learning, particularly for students from low-income households.