{"id":4201,"date":"2026-09-12T22:51:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T22:51:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4201"},"modified":"2026-09-12T22:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T22:53:44","slug":"ncc-zero-rated-digital-learning-initiative-to-build-capacity-enhance-connectivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4201","title":{"rendered":"NCC: Zero-rated digital learning initiative to build capacity, enhance connectivity"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO,<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em>Nigerian Communications Commission, affirms the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative is a coordinated national approach to improve affordable, equitable access to digital education across in the country in line with the broader Nigeria Digital Economy objectives <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect<\/p>\n<p>The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the newly-launched Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative is a critical investment meant to expand access to learning resources across the West African country.<\/p>\n<p><em>ConsumerConnect<\/em> reports the NCC described the initiative as a coordinated national approach to improve affordable, equitable access to digital education across in the country in line with the broader Nigeria Digital Economy objectives.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"0wcKYMVFUs\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4195\">Consumer Protection: NCAA fines RwandAir N15 million for regulatory infraction<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cConsumer Protection: NCAA fines RwandAir N15 million for regulatory infraction\u201d \u2014 Consumer Experience Is A Top Priority\" src=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=4195&amp;embed=true#?secret=Q7fcdIUJw8#?secret=0wcKYMVFUs\" data-secret=\"0wcKYMVFUs\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The digital skill programme spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Commission was also designed to bridge educational inequalities and support Nigeria&#8217;s long-term economic growth by investing in human capital.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the launch of the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative Thursday, September 10, 2026, in Abuja, FCT, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, disclosed Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it very clear the role of human capital towards achieving the set $1 trillion economy objective.<\/p>\n<p>Maida emphasised while the Federal Government programmes, including digital skill initiatives are helping to build capacity, Internet connectivity is equally essential for Nigerian consumers to fully benefit from such opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>100 MB free daily data allowance to approved educational platforms <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Under the initiative&#8217;s Operator-Sponsored Model, eligible users will receive up to 100 megabytes of free daily data allowance to access designated educational platforms.<\/p>\n<p>By implication, a Nigerian learner receiving the free 100MB will enjoy about 700MB of educational data each week, roughly 3GB every month, and up to 36.5GB annually.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Maida, in his remarks on the occasion, also explained that the initiative, which provides learners with free access to approved educational platforms, is part of broader efforts by the government to equip Nigerians with digital skills and knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>He said the programme aligned with President Tinubu\u2019s vision of building a $1 trillion economy.<\/p>\n<p>According to Maida, the Nigerian leader affirmed stating this economic goal depends heavily on developing the country\u2019s human capital first.<\/p>\n<p>The Executive Vice-Chairman of the telecoms sector regulatory Commission further averred: &#8220;We need to appreciate how critical education is to economic development because of the role of human capital.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The President has made it very clear the role of human capital towards achieving the $1 trillion economy goal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The EVC\/CEO of NCC restated the government programmes, including&nbsp; digital skills initiatives are helping to build capacity, Internet connectivity remains essential for citizens to fully benefit from such opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>Said he: &#8220;This is where this initiative is very critical.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;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&#8217;s really a significant investment by the industry towards the future of this country.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Insight into educational data consumption in Nigeria <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Referencing available estimates on educational data consumption, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a statement disclosed the 100Mb free daily data allowance could provide learners with an average of between two and five hours of study time per day, depending on the type of learning activity.<\/p>\n<p>The statement revealed that while reading text materials, PDF documents and conducting educational searches typically consume about 5 to 15MB per hour.<\/p>\n<p>This allows for as much as seven to 20 hours of access, participation in text-based online learning platforms generally uses 10 to 25MB per hour, translating to about four to 10 hours of learning.<\/p>\n<p>Besides, audio-based lessons, which consume approximately 30 to 60MB per hour, could still provide between one and three hours of continuous educational engagement.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission as noted this means &#8220;the initiative has the potential to significantly expand access to digital learning opportunities for millions of students across Nigeria.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Benefits of enhanced connectivity in education system, by EVC\/CEO<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Highlighting the core essence of improved Internet connectivity in the education sector, Dr. Maida, EVC\/CEO of NCC again, said improved connectivity could help to address disparities in educational resources across different parts of the country by linking students to teachers and learning materials irrespective of location.<\/p>\n<p>He explained: &#8220;The gap between certain regions of the country where you would have a deficit in terms of teachers and other regions where you would have a surplus, connectivity is going to bridge that gap.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is part of a bigger scheme to ensure that education is delivered to every citizen and that nobody is left behind.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In regard to the active support of Nigerian Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the success of the digital learning project, the Commission affirmed that industry stakeholders including operators have estimated the cost implication of providing data to five million students in the programme could run into \u20a615 billion monthly and \u20a6180billions annually.<\/p>\n<p>In respect of the projected cost implication, Maida described the initiative as a strategic investment rather than a burden to the industry.<\/p>\n<p>The Chief Executive of the Commission said: &#8220;If the economy becomes more productive through the people, who access these educational platforms, they are the future innovators in Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They are the ones who are going to come up with ideas and become leaders of tomorrow.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He noted: &#8220;So, making them more productive is actually going to create more opportunities for the sector to grow.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not about short-term thinking. It&#8217;s about securing the future of Nigerians.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>On sustainability of digital learning programme<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>According to the NCC Chief, Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative was designed with sustainability in mind.<\/p>\n<p>Maida disclosed the 100MB cap is intended to ensure the educational programme remains viable while government and industry stakeholders assess usage patterns.<\/p>\n<p>He further explained: &#8220;The idea of a cap of 100 megabytes is also towards ensuring sustainability because if we say it&#8217;s unlimited from day one, I think we&#8217;re going to be stretching ourselves.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The EVC\/CEO of Commission said the approved participating educational platforms were being encouraged to optimise their services to minimise data consumption, including reducing or eliminating advertisements and designing content to be delivered efficiently.<\/p>\n<p>He stated: &#8220;All of these measures are being considered and put in place from the get-go, to ensure that as minimum data as possible is used so that 100 megabytes delivers as much of the intended value, which is educational content, first and foremost, to citizens of Nigeria.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In his remarks at the launch of the initiative also, Ayuba Shuaibu, Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC, affirmed that a key feature of the programme is the establishment of a governance structure through which the Federal Ministry of Education and the NCC would jointly approve and whitelist educational platforms eligible for participation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Insight into guiding regulatory framework of initiative <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Commission noted the framework also requires compliance with telecommunications, cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The NCC revealed the eligible platforms include Learning Management Systems (LMS), digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission disclosed the framework for the initiative further incorporates safeguards aimed at preserving net neutrality, promoting fair competition and ensuring inclusivity across the education sector.<\/p>\n<p>The NCC stated that as part of the initial rollout, the initiative adopts an Operator-Sponsored Model under which participating Mobile Network Operators will provide a daily zero-rated data allowance of 100 megabytes to consumers accessing approved educational Web sites and platforms.<\/p>\n<p>The allowance will be reviewed periodically as the initiative evolves, said the NCC.<\/p>\n<p>The initiative also introduces mechanisms for monitoring, quality assurance and periodic evaluation.<\/p>\n<p>Performance indicators will include service availability, platform usage, data consumption, consumer complaints, network performance and compliance with relevant regulatory instruments.<\/p>\n<p>Shuaibu as well noted that several learning platforms had already been assessed, approved and whitelisted for participation in the programme.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, only these approved platforms will initially be accessible through the free data allowance, while additional platforms are expected to be incorporated over time.<\/p>\n<p>The Director of Public Affairs at NCC said the Commission and its partners would begin collecting data immediately to support a structured impact assessment of the initiative.<\/p>\n<p>The assessment will examine educational, technical, financial, consumer protection and regulatory outcomes, with findings expected to guide future adjustments to the programme\u2019s operating model and expansion strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman of NCC Board.of Commissioners, described the take-off of the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative as a demonstration of the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to education in Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister for Education, in his keynote address at the event, expressed appreciation to NCC for spearheading the initiative.<\/p>\n<p>Alausa said the Commission&#8217;s forward-thinking intervention and the extensive stakeholder consultations culminated in the launch of the initiative.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister also applauded the Commission for addressing one of the most significant barriers to digital learning in Nigeria: the cost of internet access.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that by enabling learners to access approved educational platforms and content without incurring data charges, the initiative would expand educational opportunities for students, particularly those from low-income households in the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, affirms the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content initiative is a coordinated national&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman, Board of NCC; Don Jazzy; and Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman\/CEO of the Commission, with Some Students During the Unveiling of the Zero-Rated Data Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative, in Abuja, FCT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo: 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