The federal government on Thursday 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.
Education Minister Tunji announced this 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.
Alausa said that under the scheme, students 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.
“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.
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.
