The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) will today, October 1, 2026 launch a Zero Rated Data Access initiative that will give learners free daily data to access approved educational platforms.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, and the ALTON Chairman, Engr Gbenga Adebayo.
Under the Operator Sponsored Model, eligible users will receive up to 100 megabytes of free data daily.
The NCC said a learner who gets the full allowance will have about 700MB weekly, roughly 3GB monthly and up to 36.5GB annually for studying, research, online courses and other academic activities.
The programme, which supports the Commission’s mandate to promote modern, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable and accessible communications services, is designed to reduce data cost for digital learning.
Speaking on the rollout, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to equip Nigerians with digital skills and advance human capital development.
He said it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a one trillion dollar economy through investment in people, education and skills.
Maida said the impact should be viewed beyond the 100MB daily figure when considered over time and across millions of beneficiaries.
“One hundred megabytes of data might sound a little, but when you look at it over a month and over a year, and cumulatively over the millions of learners and students that are going to access it, it’s really a significant investment by the industry towards the future of this country,” he said.
He added that increased connectivity will help bridge disparities in access to educational resources by connecting students to teachers, learning materials and knowledge irrespective of location, and build a more productive workforce capable of driving innovation and national development.
On his part, ALTON Chairman, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, said the telecom and wider technology industry has committed almost N200 billion in financial and in kind contributions for the initial pilot involving 5,000 learners.
He said the value covers the daily 100MB allocation, network resources, devices, terminals and other support from stakeholders, with operators absorbing the cost of connectivity and network capacity.
According to him, the initiative is attracting a whole of industry response involving operators, OEMs, TowerCos and other technology partners, and its significance lies in enabling learners to access knowledge, prepare for examinations, conduct research and acquire digital skills.
“This is a partnership in the truest sense: Government provides the policy and educational framework; the regulator provides coordination and oversight; telecommunications operators provide connectivity and network resources; while OEMs, TowerCos and other technology partners contribute devices, terminals and other critical resources,” Adebayo said.
He called on other stakeholders to contribute to the national effort, stressing that success of digital education also requires devices, appropriate content, reliable infrastructure, digital literacy and sustained investment.
“The telecommunications industry has demonstrated its willingness to lead by example,” he said, describing the initiative as an expression of confidence in Nigeria’s young people.
He added that ALTON and its members remain committed to working with government, the NCC, the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure measurable and lasting educational outcomes.
“Investing in education is investing in Nigeria’s future and the telecommunications industry is putting its resources behind that future,” he said.
