ABUJA — The Federal Government has unveiled a major digital education initiative that will enable millions of Nigerian students to access approved educational platforms without paying for internet data.
The initiative, known as the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria, was unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, as part of efforts to remove the cost of internet connectivity as a barrier to digital learning.
Speaking at the launch, Alausa said the programme was designed to ensure that Nigerian children and young people could access quality educational resources regardless of their economic circumstances or geographical location.
“This initiative goes beyond connectivity. It is about putting learning within reach of children who may otherwise be unable to afford the data required to access it,” the minister said.
According to him, poverty and geography should no longer determine the educational opportunities available to Nigerian children, noting that mobile phones, tablets and computers could serve as classrooms, libraries and gateways to learning when the cost barrier was removed.
The initiative comes amid persistent challenges in Nigeria’s education sector, including a large population of out-of-school children, inadequate learning infrastructure, unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity and limited digital literacy.
The Federal Government expects the zero-rating policy to particularly benefit learners in underserved and hard-to-reach communities where access to conventional educational facilities remains limited.
Alausa said the initiative formed part of the digital transformation component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, being implemented through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
More Read
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education was strengthening the digital infrastructure needed to support a modern education system through programmes including the Nigeria Education Data Infrastructure, Digital Nigeria Education Management Information System and Learner Identification Number.
He, however, stressed that the success of the government’s digital transformation would not be measured simply by the number of platforms created or devices deployed, but by their impact on learners.
“The real measure of digital transformation would be its ability to reach the learner and improve the quality of education,” Alausa said.
Nigeria has previously implemented zero-rated access to selected educational platforms. One example is the Nigeria Learning Passport, developed by the Federal Government, UNICEF and other partners to provide curriculum-based learning materials to students and teachers.
UNICEF has previously reported that data charges were removed for users accessing the Nigeria Learning Passport through whitelisting on an Airtel SIM, while connectivity was also extended to schools in hard-to-reach communities.
However, the latest initiative represents a broader effort to institutionalise zero-rated access to approved educational content as digital technology becomes increasingly important to teaching and learning.
Government Plans Internet Regulation for Children Under 16
While expanding access to digital education, the government is also considering stronger measures to protect children from online dangers.
More Read
Alausa disclosed that plans were underway to introduce regulated internet access for children below the age of 16, citing concerns over cyberattacks and other risks associated with children’s increasing exposure to the internet.
“At some point, there would be regulated internet access for every child below the age of 16 years as part of measures to strengthen online child protection,” the minister said.
The proposed regulation could introduce a new dimension to Nigeria’s digital education strategy, with the government seeking to balance wider access to educational technology with safeguards against online risks.
The minister called for sustained collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, state governments, the Nigerian Communications Commission, telecommunications operators, technology companies, development partners, educational institutions and teachers.
He also challenged stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s digital education drive goes beyond producing technology consumers, stressing the need to raise a generation equipped with the skills to use technology productively and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
