FG to Give Nigerian Students 100MB Free Educational Data Daily From October 1, 2026

FG to Give Nigerian Students 100MB Free Educational Data Daily From October 1, 2026

The Federal Government has announced that eligible Nigerian students will receive 100MB of sponsored data every day to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from October 1, 2026.

The initiative, launched by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators, is designed to reduce the cost of internet access for students and make digital learning more accessible.

Who is Eligible?

The programme will initially cover students in public senior secondary schools and public tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

This means the first phase is not a general 100MB data giveaway for every Nigerian. The sponsored data is intended specifically for eligible learners enrolled in the public institutions covered by the programme.

The government has indicated that the initiative will later be expanded to other categories of learners.

Students will also need to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms for the sponsored data to apply. The allowance is not intended for unrestricted internet use and cannot simply be used for social media, entertainment, betting or other unrelated online services.

Further details on how individual students will be identified, registered or authenticated for the service are expected as the October 1 rollout approaches.

How the 100MB Daily Data Will Work

Under the programme, participating telecommunications operators will provide eligible learners with up to 100MB of sponsored data each day for approved educational content.

The NCC and Federal Ministry of Education are responsible for determining the educational platforms and websites that qualify under the zero-rating framework.

The approved services are expected to include digital learning platforms, learning management systems, educational repositories, digital libraries and other education-focused resources.

Speaking at the launch of the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria in Abuja, Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa announced October 1 as the commencement date.

The government says the initiative is intended to address the cost of internet data, which remains a barrier to digital education, particularly for students from low-income households.

The NCC has identified MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom among the major telecommunications operators supporting the programme by providing the sponsored data access.

The initiative is expected to benefit about five million students in its initial phase, with the government putting the annual value of the programme at about ₦180 billion.

The Education Minister also disclosed that the government is working on measures concerning internet access for children below the age of 16, with further details expected as the policy develops.

The government is simultaneously expanding the digitalisation of Nigeria's education system through initiatives including the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and the Learner Identification Number.

With the October 1 rollout approaching, eligible students will be able to access selected educational resources without having the normal data cost deducted from their mobile accounts.

Are you an eligible student, and what educational platform would you want the free daily data to cover?