NCC: 5m students to benefit as operators back free educational data scheme

Students flank Chairman of the Board, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe; Don Jazzy; and Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, during the unveiling of the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative aimed at promoting inclusive digital education through free access to approved learning platforms.

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a new Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative, offering eligible learners up to 100 megabytes of free data daily to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.

The initiative, launched on Thursday, is aimed at expanding affordable access to digital education, reducing educational inequalities and supporting Nigeria’s human capital development.

Under the Operator-Sponsored Model, a learner receiving the full 100MB daily allowance could access about 700MB of educational content weekly, approximately 3GB monthly and up to 36.5GB annually without paying data charges for the approved platforms.

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 needed to support economic development.

Maida linked the programme to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion Nigerian economy, stressing that human capital development would be critical to achieving the target.

“We need to appreciate how critical education is to economic development because of the role of human capital,” Maida said.
According to him, internet connectivity remains essential if Nigerians are to fully benefit from government digital-skills and education programmes.

According to the Director Public Affairs
Nigerian Communications Commission, Nnenna Ukoha, he described the 100MB daily allocation as a significant investment when considered cumulatively across millions of learners.

Initiative to Bridge Educational Gaps
The NCC said the initiative could help address disparities in access to teachers, learning materials and educational resources across different parts of the country.

Maida explained that connectivity could enable students in areas with shortages of teachers to access learning resources and educational support from other parts of the country.

He said the initiative was part of a broader effort to ensure that no Nigerian learner was excluded from the benefits of digital education.

Available estimates indicate that the 100MB daily allowance could support several hours of learning, depending on the nature of the educational activity.

Text-based materials, PDF documents and educational searches generally consume less data, while audio-based lessons require more data. The NCC said participating platforms are also being encouraged to optimise their services to ensure that the available data delivers maximum educational value.

Operators Face Major Investment
Industry stakeholders estimate that providing the service to five million students could cost participating operators about ₦15 billion monthly, or approximately ₦180 billion annually.

However, Maida described the projected expenditure as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future rather than a burden on the telecommunications industry.

He said learners who benefit from the initiative could become future innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, ultimately creating opportunities for growth within the telecommunications sector and the wider economy.

The EVC also explained that the 100MB cap was introduced partly to ensure the sustainability of the programme while the NCC and its partners assess usage patterns.
NCC, Education Ministry to Approve Platforms

The Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the initiative would operate under a governance framework involving the Federal Ministry of Education and the NCC.

Both institutions will jointly approve and whitelist educational platforms eligible to participate in the programme.

Eligible platforms include Learning Management Systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.

Participating platforms must comply with relevant telecommunications, cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection regulations.

The framework also includes safeguards relating to net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity within the education sector.
According to Shuaibu, several platforms have already been assessed, approved and whitelisted, with additional platforms expected to be incorporated as the initiative expands.

NCC Begins Impact Assessment
The Commission said it would immediately begin collecting data to assess the impact of the programme.

The assessment will examine educational outcomes, platform usage, data consumption, network performance, consumer complaints, financial implications and regulatory compliance.

The findings are expected to guide future adjustments to the programme and determine possible expansion of the operating model.

The Chairman of the NCC Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, described the initiative as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving education through digital connectivity.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, also commended the NCC for spearheading the initiative and for undertaking extensive consultations with stakeholders before its launch.

Alausa said the programme addresses one of the major barriers to digital learning in Nigeria—the cost of internet access.

He noted that allowing learners to access approved educational platforms without paying data charges would expand learning opportunities, particularly for students from low-income households.

The NCC said the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative would be reviewed periodically as usage, impact and sustainability data become available.