The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a public consultation process to implement free data access for students nationwide.

This initiative is a response to the mandate by President Bola Tinubu to eliminate affordability barriers and expand digital literacy. The public feedback window opened on June 19 and will close on July 9.

Millions of Nigerian learners face severe digital exclusion due to high Internet costs. The newly formed Joint NCC-Industry Committee is tasked with building a sustainable framework to provide unhindered connectivity to learning institutions. The primary goal is giving students free access to formal education and digital skills development tools.

The regulatory body is currently evaluating two deployment models: Establishing a single, mobile-friendly central portal linking approved learning resources and compelling telecom operators to whitelist curriculum-relevant educational websites.

To prevent network abuse, the committee is debating strict eligibility parameters. Proposals range from limiting access to public senior secondary and tertiary institutions to opening data-free access to all primary and secondary schools.

Approved materials will align with curriculum standards certified by bodies like the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Conversely, non-educational platforms, social media, and heavy data-streaming entertainment services will be strictly excluded.

Sustaining free data requires substantial financial backing without overburdening telecommunications operators. The proposal outlines a 12-month initial trial phase featuring complimentary daily data allowances. During this time, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), government subsidies, and international development partners like UNICEF will help subsidise costs. After the one-year trial, the framework will transition into a paid system using highly subsidised, low-cost educational data bundles. The NCC will perform bi-annual reviews to check infrastructure impact, usage growth, and exam performance correlations.

Stakeholders, educators, and the public are encouraged to submit evidence-based perspectives to ensure fair market competition and protect net neutrality. Electronic submissions must be sent in PDF format to [email protected] no later than July 9.