The federal government has announced a N180 billion annual zero-rated data initiative to provide five million students across Nigeria with free daily internet access to approved digital learning platforms starting October 1.

‎The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms and Content initiative.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators.

‎Mr Alausa explained that under the scheme, five million learners would receive 100 megabytes of sponsored data daily at N100 per user, amounting to N15 billion monthly and N180 billion annually in zero-rated educational access.

‎‎“Zero-rated access has the potential to transform a mobile phone, tablet, or computer from simply a communication device into a classroom, a library, and a gateway to human capital development.

‎‎“The benefit of technology cannot be truly transformative if access remains determined by household income and geography.

‎‎“By enabling learners to access approved educational platforms without bearing the cost of data, we are removing one of the most significant barriers to digital learning in Nigeria,” he said.

‎The minister urged international development partners, including UNESCO, to recognise the N180 billion sponsored data commitment as an integral addition to President Bola Tinubu’s national education funding allocations.

‎Mr Alausa noted that the initiative aligned directly with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and the digitised Nigeria Education Management Information System (D-NEMIS).

‎He stated that the ministry had 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.

‎The minister added that security agencies would, in the coming weeks, announce regulated internet access parameters for children under 16 to protect underage learners from cyber threats.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in rural communities.

Mr Tijani was represented by the director of the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat in the ministry, Adetunji Olugbenga.

‎He commended the NCC and telecommunication operators under the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) for funding and executing the technical framework.

‎“Education is fundamental to the development of our nation in this digital age.

‎‎“This initiative represents a significant step toward making digital education more affordable, accessible, and inclusive, particularly for learners in underserved communities,” he said.

‎The Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at NCC, Rimini Makama, said the framework would ensure no student is excluded from digital classrooms because of financial constraints.

‎“Learning has moved online, and connectivity is no longer a convenience; it is part of how education happens.

‎“No learner should be shut out of educational content because of where they live or what their family earns,” she said.

‎Also speaking, a representative of uLesson Group, Oladipo Olugbemi, pledged technical support from the private edtech sector to guarantee platform quality and seamless access for students.

‎”Zero-rated access to educational platforms is not a small technical decision; it is a statement that the country believes every learner’s right to education should not be rationed by data costs,” he said.

(NAN)