FG to Give Students 100MB Free Data Daily From October 1

The Federal Government has announced that Nigerian students will receive 100MB of free data daily to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from October 1, 2026.

The initiative, being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to reduce the cost barrier preventing students from accessing digital learning resources.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced the commencement date in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.

The programme will initially target students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions, with plans to expand the intervention to other categories of learners.

Under the arrangement, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with a daily 100MB zero-rated data allowance for accessing government-approved educational websites and platforms. The data will not attract charges when used on qualifying educational content.

The government said only credible, safe and education-focused platforms aligned with national curricula would qualify for the zero-rating arrangement.

The NCC and Ministry of Education will jointly determine the platforms eligible for the programme. Expected categories include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher-training platforms and technical and vocational education resources.

The initiative is expected to initially cover five million students. The 100MB daily allocation for that number of beneficiaries represents about 15 billion megabytes of data monthly, with an estimated annual data value of ₦180 billion.

Alausa said the cost of internet access remained a major barrier to digital education, particularly for students from low-income households.

He said the initiative could allow smartphones, tablets and computers to function as virtual classrooms and digital libraries by enabling students to access learning materials without worrying about the cost of data.

The NCC said major telecommunications operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom, are supporting the rollout.

The commission said the framework also contains provisions designed to protect net neutrality, promote fair competition and ensure that the initiative remains inclusive.

Alausa further disclosed that the Federal Government was developing measures concerning internet access for children below 16 years, with details expected to be announced later.

The government said the free educational data programme forms part of wider efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of Nigeria’s education sector and improve access to learning opportunities regardless of students’ economic circumstances or location.