The Federal Government has announced a major digital education initiative that will give Nigerian students free access to approved educational websites and platforms, while also unveiling plans to regulate internet access for children below the age of 16.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed the measures on Thursday during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria in Abuja. He said the initiative was designed to remove the cost of internet data as a barrier to digital learning.
Under the programme, participating mobile network operators will provide eligible students with 100 megabytes of free data daily for accessing approved educational platforms. The initiative is expected to begin on October 1, 2026, initially covering senior secondary school and tertiary institution students before expanding to other categories of learners.
Alausa said the approved platforms would include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher-development platforms and technical and vocational training resources.
The minister stressed that poverty, geographical location and limited access to conventional educational infrastructure should not determine a child’s opportunity to learn. He said digital devices such as mobile phones, tablets and computers could serve as classrooms and libraries when the cost of accessing educational content was removed.
However, the government’s digital education drive will be accompanied by measures aimed at protecting children online. Alausa announced plans for regulated internet access for Nigerians below the age of 16, citing the need to ensure that children are protected from harmful online content and other digital threats.
Although the minister did not provide details of how the proposed regulation would operate, he said further information would be announced by the relevant authorities.
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to digitise Nigeria’s education system and bridge the digital divide.
The government is also expected to work with the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecommunications operators, state governments, schools and development partners to ensure the programme delivers sustainable benefits to learners nationwide.
FG Removes Data Costs for Students, Plans Internet Regulation for Under-16s
