The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Meta and other stakeholders have intensified efforts to develop a sustainable framework that will enable students and teachers to access approved educational platforms without paying for internet data.

The stakeholders made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a public consultation on the proposed Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content framework, where regulators, telecom operators, education authorities, development partners and technology firms deliberated on implementation options for the initiative.

The consultation followed the Commission’s earlier release of a consultation paper outlining plans to introduce a policy that would allow students and teachers to access selected educational websites and digital learning platforms free of data charges as part of efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and expand access to quality education.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the consultation marked a critical stage in developing a framework that balances educational access with sustainability, fair competition and sound regulation.

Maida, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the industry committee set up by the Commission had already examined the technical, regulatory, policy and commercial implications of the initiative and produced a consultation paper for public review.

According to him, the eventual success of the programme would depend on contributions from telecom operators, education providers, students, teachers, development partners and other stakeholders who would be responsible for implementing or benefiting from the initiative.

“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,” Maida said.

He explained that discussions focused on identifying the most suitable implementation model, determining eligibility criteria, defining educational content and platforms, establishing sustainable funding mechanisms and putting in place safeguards to preserve net neutrality, promote fair competition and ensure effective governance.

“There are no predetermined outcomes. The Commission and the Industry Committee remain open to constructive, practical and evidence-based recommendations,” he added.

Speaking further, Maida disclosed that the proposed scheme would not impose financial obligations on either the NCC or beneficiary institutions, explaining that participating Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) would absorb the cost of providing data access under the initiative.

“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.

He added that the programme is expected to benefit both tertiary and sub-tertiary(secondary) educational institutions.

The Federal Ministry of Education also endorsed the proposal, describing it as consistent with ongoing reforms aimed at making education more inclusive and technology-driven. The ministry’s position was presented by its Director of Information and Communication Technology, Abubakar Zainab Suleiman.

Suleiman said high internet costs, poor connectivity and unequal access to digital learning resources continue to limit learning opportunities, research and skills development across the country.

She noted that the proposed framework aligns with the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which seeks to improve learning outcomes through evidence-based planning, stronger institutional coordination and technology-enabled education.

According to her, the initiative should not focus solely on connectivity but must also guarantee educational relevance, quality assurance, learner protection, child online safety, data privacy and alignment with national education priorities.

“It is important that access is not treated as only a connectivity issue. It must also be guided by educational relevance, quality assurance, learner protection, child online safety, data privacy, sustainability and alignment with the national education platform,” she said.

Suleiman also advocated a phased implementation beginning with a pilot programme that would enable stakeholders to evaluate costs, usage patterns, technical requirements and long-term sustainability before expanding nationwide.

Also speaking, the Digital Transformation Specialist at UNESCO’s Abuja Office, Dr Yinka Oyerinde, described the consultation as timely, noting that the demand for quality online learning had grown significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He recalled that UNESCO developed a Zero-Rated Access Toolkit in 2020 to guide governments, regulators and mobile operators on implementing similar interventions, adding that affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to digital education in developing countries.

While supporting the proposal, Oyerinde cautioned that zero-rating should be viewed as an immediate intervention rather than a permanent 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,” he said.

Drawing lessons from countries such as Kenya, he noted that the sustainability remains the greatest challenge once subsidy programmes end, urging Nigeria to build a clear transition and exit strategy into the framework from the outset.

He also recommended the development of a nationally agreed whitelist of approved educational platforms, stronger public awareness campaigns and closer collaboration among regulators, telecom operators, educational technology firms and development partners.

Technology company Meta equally pledged support for the initiative through its existing Free Basics platform.

Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta, Sade Dada, said the company has worked with Nigerian telecom operators since 2016 to expand affordable internet access and remains committed to supporting digital inclusion.

According to her, Meta’s Free Basics infrastructure already enables government agencies, educational institutions and developers to make approved educational content available to users without data charges, provided they meet established technical standards.

“If classrooms are free to enter, the digital classroom shouldn’t become inaccessible because someone runs out of data,” Dada said.

She added that Meta stands ready to collaborate with the NCC and other stakeholders in implementing the framework once it is finalised.

As earlier reported, the NCC had released a consultation paper proposing two implementation options for the initiative. One involves creating a centralised portal hosting approved educational resources, while the other would allow telecom operators to whitelist designated educational websites and platforms for free access.

The Commission also proposed an initial 12-month pilot programme, with funding expected to come from industry cost-sharing arrangements, government support, the Universal Service Provision Fund, development partners and public-private partnerships before any nationwide rollout.