The Federal Government has announced plans to provide Nigerian students with 100 megabytes of free data every day to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms from October 1, 2026.

The initiative is being implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in partnership with telecommunications operators and the Federal Ministry of Education.

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

Alausa said the free data provision would begin on October 1, 2026, while acknowledging the contribution of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) to the programme.

Students to access educational platforms for free

Under the initiative, participating mobile network operators will provide a daily zero-rated data allowance of 100MB for students to access approved educational websites and digital platforms.

The programme will initially target students in public senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions before being extended to other categories of learners.

The minister said the initiative was designed to address the cost of internet data, which has become a major barrier to digital education, particularly for students from low-income households.

He said removing data charges from approved educational platforms could turn mobile phones, tablets and computers into virtual classrooms and libraries for learners who may otherwise struggle to access digital resources.

Alausa added that the government’s ambition was to ensure that no Nigerian learner was denied access to quality educational content because of an inability to afford internet data.

NCC to approve educational platforms

The NCC Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the Federal Ministry of Education and the commission would jointly determine the educational platforms to be whitelisted under the initiative.

Approved platforms are expected to include learning management systems, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher development platforms, as well as technical and vocational training platforms.

Shuaibu explained that the initial rollout would adopt an operator-consult model under which participating mobile network operators provide the daily 100MB zero-rated allowance for access to approved websites and platforms.

He said the scheme would provide students in public secondary schools and public tertiary institutions with access to selected learning resources without data charges.

FG plans internet regulation for under-16s

The Minister of Education also disclosed that the Federal Government was working on measures to regulate internet access for children below the age of 16.

According to Alausa, further details of the proposed regulation would be announced by the government.

He stressed that educational content available to children must be appropriate, credible, safe and aligned with national educational objectives and the curriculum.

The minister also said the government was expanding the digitalisation of the education sector through initiatives including the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and the Learner Identification Number.

Over 240,000 schools geo-mapped

Alausa disclosed that more than 240,000 schools had been geo-mapped and geolocated across Nigeria.

He added that the government was digitising the Annual School Census to collect information on school enrolment, teachers, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, connectivity and school safety.

The NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said millions of students were unable to access digital learning platforms because of affordability challenges.

She said the Zero-Rated Access Initiative was designed to ensure that learners were not excluded from educational content because of their location or household income.

MTN, Airtel, Globacom support initiative

The initiative was developed following research, benchmarking, testing and consultations involving the NCC, participating mobile network operators under ALTON, the Federal Ministries of Communications and Education, and other stakeholders.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, represented at the event by the Director of the National Frequency Management Council Secretariat, Adetunji Adeyemo, described the programme as an important step towards making digital education more affordable and accessible.

The NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, identified MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom among the major mobile network operators supporting the programme.

He commended the operators for supporting the implementation by providing free data allowances for learners to access approved educational platforms.

The framework also requires compliance with telecommunications regulations covering cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection and data protection, while providing safeguards on net neutrality, fair competition and inclusivity.

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The Federal Government has announced the removal of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination requirement for candidates seeking admission into Federal Colleges of Education across Nigeria, in a major reform aimed at expanding access to teacher education and technical training.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed the policy shift on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board held in Abuja.

According to the minister, candidates applying for programmes in Federal Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit for the UTME before gaining admission into the institutions.

The exemption, he explained, also covers applicants seeking admission into technology, agriculture, and other related programmes offered by the colleges.

O’Level Requirements Still Mandatory

Despite the removal of the UTME requirement, Alausa clarified that candidates must still possess the required O’Level qualifications for their chosen courses.

He added that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board would continue to oversee screening, documentation, verification, and admission placement processes for applicants.

The minister described the decision as part of broader efforts to improve access to teacher education and strengthen manpower development in critical sectors of the economy.

Major Shift in Nigeria’s Admission System

The policy marks a significant adjustment to Nigeria’s tertiary education admission framework, where UTME has remained the primary entrance examination into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education since its introduction in 1978.

Over the years, the examination has become highly competitive, with millions of candidates battling annually for limited admission opportunities.

However, education stakeholders have consistently argued that a single admission model may not adequately address the unique realities and academic needs of different tertiary institutions, especially colleges of education.

Low Enrolment Concerns

Federal Colleges of Education were established mainly to train teachers and award the Nigeria Certificate in Education, which remains the minimum qualification for teaching at primary and junior secondary school levels in Nigeria.

Although some colleges now run degree programmes through affiliations with universities, many institutions have continued to struggle with declining student enrolment, inadequate funding, and weak public perception compared to universities and polytechnics.

Reports from previous admission cycles showed that several colleges of education failed to fill their approved admission quotas, raising concerns about the future of teacher training in the country.

Experts Welcome Reform

Education analysts believe the removal of UTME could help reduce financial and procedural barriers preventing many students, particularly those from rural and low-income backgrounds, from pursuing teacher education.

Stakeholders have also linked the reform to Nigeria’s growing shortage of qualified teachers, especially in science, mathematics, vocational studies, and technical education.

The inclusion of agriculture and technology-related programmes in the exemption policy is also seen as part of government efforts to encourage practical skills acquisition, innovation, and economic diversification.

Calls for Improved Funding and Infrastructure

Despite welcoming the policy, stakeholders insist that expanding access alone will not solve the challenges facing colleges of education.

They called on the Federal Government to complement the reform with increased funding, improved infrastructure, better learning facilities, enhanced staff welfare, and stronger institutional support to maintain academic quality.

The policy meeting also featured discussions among education regulators and heads of tertiary institutions on admission benchmarks, institutional capacities, and guidelines for the 2026 admission process.

The latest announcement is expected to spark reactions across the education sector as Nigeria continues reforms aimed at widening access to tertiary education while improving quality and workforce development.

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