The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun moves to provide Nigerian students with free access to approved educational websites and digital learning platforms without consuming mobile data.
The commission on Tuesday convened a stakeholders’ consultation in Abuja to develop a framework for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content, a policy aimed at removing data costs that prevent millions of learners from accessing online education.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the initiative is designed to enable students to access approved educational websites, applications and digital learning platforms without paying for data.
Represented by the Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Maida said the initiative is targeted at students, particularly those in rural, unserved and underserved communities, where internet access remains a major challenge.
He described the programme as a bold step towards eliminating the affordability barrier that has denied millions of Nigerian students access to digital learning.
According to him, an industry committee has already developed a consultation paper covering the technical, regulatory, policy and commercial issues surrounding the initiative, stressing that broad stakeholder participation is crucial to its success.
Maida urged stakeholders to make inputs on implementation models, eligibility criteria, approved educational content, funding mechanisms, governance structure and measures to ensure fair competition and network neutrality.
“There are no predetermined outcomes. We encourage stakeholders to propose alternative approaches that will help achieve the objectives of this initiative,” he said.
The NCC explained that the framework will establish implementation guidelines, platform eligibility requirements, governance structures and consumer protection measures, including fair usage policies to ensure quality service and sustainable access.
According to the commission, students will be able to continue accessing approved educational resources even after exhausting their regular data subscriptions under clearly defined regulatory safeguards.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, represented by the Director of ICT, Mrs. Zainab Abubakar Suleiman, said only credible, safe and curriculum-approved educational platforms should benefit from the initiative.
He also recommended that the programme be piloted before nationwide implementation to ensure effectiveness.
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), represented by Dr. Louis Ebenezer, described the initiative as a major step towards reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving learning outcomes and bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.
Similarly, UNESCO’s Digital Transformation Specialist, Dr. Yinka Oyerinde, said high data costs remain one of the biggest barriers to online learning in Nigeria, recalling how the COVID-19 lockdown exposed the country’s digital education challenges.
He noted that the proposed zero-rating initiative would promote equity and inclusion by removing the financial burden of internet access for learners.
Industry stakeholders also observed that Nigeria has remained a global leader in zero-rating innovation since 2016, stressing that strong collaboration between mobile network operators and government agencies would be critical to the programme’s success.
When implemented, the framework is expected to significantly reduce the cost of online learning, boost digital literacy and expand access to quality education across the country.
