Federal Government to Roll Out 100MB Daily Free Data for Public School Students From October 1

The Federal Government has announced plans to provide students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria with 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily internet data starting October 1, 2026.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the commencement date in Abuja during the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria. Implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and major telecommunications operators—including MTN, Airtel, and Globacom—the project aims to eliminate financial barriers to digital education for learners nationwide.

“Let me let out the secret. This will be made available to Nigerian students from October 1st, 2026... Our ambition must be that, ultimately, no Nigerian learner should be denied access to quality educational content simply because he or she cannot afford data.”
— Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education

Under the initial operator-consult model, participating mobile network operators will automatically route the daily 100MB zero-rated data allowance exclusively toward approved educational sites and learning portals. According to NCC Director of Policy, Competition, and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, the Whitelisted resources will include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development portals, and technical and vocational training platforms.
Alongside the data rollout, Dr. Alausa revealed that the Federal Government is accelerating digital integration via the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Learner Identification Number (LIN). The minister also noted that the government is drafting new regulations to monitor internet safety and restrict age-inappropriate online content for children under the age of 16.
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