The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Meta and other stakeholders are working on a plan to provide students and teachers with free access to approved educational websites without the need for internet data payments.
The proposal was discussed during a public consultation held in Abuja on Tuesday, where regulators, telecom operators, education officials, development partners and technology companies deliberated on the implementation of a proposed framework for zero-rated access to educational platforms and digital content.
The move follows the NCC’s release of a draft framework aimed at improving digital inclusion by allowing learners and educators to access selected online learning resources at no cost.
Speaking at the consultation, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Aminu Maida, said the initiative is designed to tackle the affordability challenges that prevent many Nigerian students from benefiting from digital education.
Represented by Ayuba Shuaibu, the commission’s director of policy, competition and economic analysis, Maida said an industry committee had assessed the technical, regulatory, policy and commercial aspects of the proposal before opening it for public review.
“The objective of this initiative is straightforward but deeply significant; and that is to reduce the affordability barrier that locks millions of Nigerian students out of the digital classroom,” he said.
He explained that the consultation would help determine key areas such as implementation strategies, eligibility requirements, approved educational platforms, funding structures and measures to protect net neutrality and fair competition.
Maida added that the initiative would not create financial obligations for the NCC or participating educational institutions, as mobile network operators would bear the cost of providing free data access to approved platforms.
“The collaboration with the MNOs means it is not going to be at a cost to the commission, and it is not going to be at a cost to the beneficiary institutions,” he said, adding that the programme would cover both secondary and tertiary institutions.
‘HIGH INTERNET COSTS, POOR CONNECTIVITY LIMIT DIGITAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES’
The Federal Ministry of Education also expressed support for the proposal, stating that it aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which promotes technology-driven improvements in education.
Representing the ministry, Zainab Suleiman, director of information and communication technology, said expensive internet services, weak connectivity and unequal access to digital resources remain major obstacles to learning opportunities in Nigeria.
She noted that the framework should address issues beyond connectivity, including education quality, learner protection, child online safety, data privacy and long-term sustainability.
Suleiman recommended starting the programme with a pilot phase to evaluate costs, user patterns and technical requirements before expanding nationwide.
Yinka Oyerinde, digital transformation specialist at UNESCO’s Abuja office, described the consultation as timely, noting the rapid growth of online learning demand since the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said UNESCO introduced a zero-rated access toolkit in 2020 to support governments and regulators implementing similar programmes but stressed that the approach should serve as a temporary solution.
“Zero rating is not the final solution but a powerful immediate tool. It is a bridge towards ensuring that every learner has access to quality educational opportunities,” Oyerinde said.
He encouraged the NCC to establish a nationally recognised list of approved educational platforms and create a clear transition plan to sustain the initiative after any subsidies end.
Meta also pledged its support for the programme through its Free Basics platform.
Sade Dada, Meta’s head of public policy for Anglophone West Africa, said the company has partnered with Nigerian telecom operators since 2016 to improve affordable internet access and is prepared to contribute to the implementation of the framework.
“If classrooms are free to enter, the digital classroom shouldn’t become inaccessible because someone runs out of data,” she said.
Under the proposed framework, the NCC is considering two possible approaches: creating a centralised portal containing approved educational materials or allowing telecom operators to whitelist selected educational websites for free access.
The commission is also proposing an initial 12-month pilot programme, with funding expected through industry cost-sharing arrangements, government contributions, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), development partners and public-private partnerships before a wider national rollout.