NCC, ALTON open zero-rated data access to educational platforms for learners

*The Nigerian Communications Commission restates the fresh digital education access initiative supports its mandate to promote modern, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable, and accessible communications services across the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Thursday, October 1, 2026, activate the Zero-Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative for learners.

ConsumerConnect had reported the NCC disclosed the new-fangled digital education access programme supports its mandate to promote modern, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable, and accessible communications services across Nigeria.

Konga activates Nigerian Defence discount scheme as freedom sale offers consumers 66 percent

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission also said under the initiative’s Operator-Sponsored Model, eligible consumers would receive about 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily data allowance to access designated educational platforms in the ecosystem.

It explained this means that a learner receiving the full 100MB allowance would have access to about 700MB of educational data each week, roughly 3GB every month, and up to 36.5GB annually.

Core objectives of Zero-Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative

Highlighting the key objectives of the programme, the NCC disclosed the initiative was designed to reduce the cost of data for digital learning.

The initiative will also enable eligible learners to use approved platforms for studying, research, online courses, and other academic activities in the country.

Speaking on the October 1, 2026, rollout, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, affirmed the initiative provides learners with free access to approved educational platforms.

Maida explained the Zero-Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative also forms part of broader government efforts are equipping Nigerians with digital skills, knowledge and advance human capital development.

The EVC/CEO of NCC states that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.

According to him, the Federal Government’s economic policy depends significantly, on investing in people through education, skills acquisition, and access to learning opportunities.

The significance of the initiative, he noted, should be viewed beyond the daily 100MB allocation, particularly when considered over time and across the millions of Nigerian learners expected to benefit from it.

Maida: Enhanced connectivity bridges disparities in access to educational resources

Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs Department at NCC, and Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), in a joint statement Wednesday, September 30, 2026, quoted Dr. Maida to have made some remarks on the strategic significance of the programme.

Dr. Maida stated: “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.”

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission further stated that increased connectivity would help bridge disparities in access to educational resources across different parts of the country by connecting students to teachers, learning materials and knowledge resources irrespective of location.

Describing the programme as a strategic investment in both the future of Nigeria and the telecommunications industry, Maida stressed that the initiative would contribute to building a more productive workforce capable of driving innovation, economic growth and national development.

He also explained: “If the economy becomes more productive through these people who access these educational platforms, they are the future innovators in Nigeria.

“They are the ones who are going to come up with ideas and become leaders of tomorrow.”

He averred: “So, making them more productive is going to create more opportunities for the sector to grow.

“It’s not about short-term thinking. It’s about securing the future of Nigerians.”

ALTON Chairman speaks on N200bn worth of contributions to programme

Giving further insight into the initiative, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, said the telecommunications and wider technology industry had demonstrated significant commitment to the Zero-Rated Access initiative through financial and in-kind contributions amounting to almost ₦200 billion for the initial pilot involving 5,000 learners.

The ALTON Chief explained the aggregate value considers the daily 100MB connectivity allocation, network resources, devices, terminals, and other supporting contributions provided by industry stakeholders.

Adebayo described the educational platforms as a demonstration of the industry’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s education and digital inclusion agenda.

He also explained that telecommunications operators are absorbing the cost of providing the connectivity and network capacity required to deliver daily access to approved educational platforms.

On significance of initiative and advancement of Nigeria Digital Economy

Adebayo noted this represents a substantial commitment of network resources over the duration of the programme, and it is being undertaken in support of a national development objective.

The Chairman of ALTON said that the Zero-Rated Access initiative was attracting a whole-of-industry response involving telecommunications operators, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), TowerCos, and other technology stakeholders.

The significance of the commitment should not be measured merely by the amount of data being provided, but also by its potential to enable Nigerian learners to access knowledge, prepare for examinations, conduct research, acquire digital skills and participate in the emerging digital economy.

Adebayo as well emphasised that the telecoms industry is not merely asking the Federal Government to create policies or programmes but is also putting substantial resources behind the national objective.

He said: “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.”

How industry stakeholders lead by example: Engr. Adebayo

Emphasising the commitment of stakeholders in the telecommunications sector, Engr. Adebayo affirmed that the objective of the Zero-Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative is to remove accessibility barriers for learners

He, therefore, other industry stakeholders to contribute to the national effort.

The Chairman of ALTON stressed that besides connectivity, the success of digital education requires devices, appropriate content, reliable infrastructure, digital literacy, and sustained investment.

Adebayo noted: “The telecommunications industry has demonstrated its willingness to lead by example.”

He described the initiative as an expression of confidence in Nigeria’s young people and the future of the country.

According to him, ALTON and its members remain committed to working with the government, the NCC, the Federal Ministry of Education, and all other stakeholders to ensure that the investment produces measurable and lasting educational outcomes.

He further stated: “Investing in education is investing in Nigeria’s future and the telecommunications industry is putting its resources behind that future.”