NCC Holds Stakeholders’ Consultation To Develop Framework For Data-Free Access To Educational Platforms
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ABUJA – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Tuesday, convened a Stakeholders’ Consultation on the development of a Framework for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The consultation brought together Mobile Network Operators, ALTON, education regulators, development partners, and civil society organisations to review and provide input on the proposed Framework.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, explained that the Zero-Rated Access Initiative is designed to allow learners to access approved educational websites, applications, and digital learning platforms without incurring data charges.
Maida, represented by Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis Department, NCC, said the initiative targets students and learners in rural, unserved, and underserved communities who face connectivity barriers.
He explained that the initiative seeks “to reduce the affordability barrier that locks millions of Nigerian students out of the digital classroom.”
He revealed that an Industry Committee had developed a Consultation Paper examining technical, regulatory, policy, and commercial considerations.
However, he stressed that “the long-term impact of this initiative depends on broad stakeholder participation.”
Maida outlined four critical areas for stakeholder input which include appropriate implementation models and eligibility criteria; definition of educational content and platforms; funding and sustainability mechanisms and safeguards for net neutrality, fair competition, and governance
“There are no predetermined outcomes,” he stated. “We encourage stakeholders to propose alternative approaches that may better achieve the objectives of this initiative.”
He added that the final Framework must be “transparent, sustainable, technologically sound, and entirely consistent with fair competition and sound regulatory practice” while advancing educational access and preserving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
According to the NCC, the proposed Framework will define implementation approaches, platform eligibility criteria, governance structures, and consumer protection measures.
Key provisions of the Framework, according to the Commission, will include fair usage policies to ensure network efficiency and service quality while guaranteeing sustainable access.
“The goal is to ensure that students can continue accessing approved educational resources even after exhausting their regular data subscriptions, under clear regulatory safeguards,” the Commission stated.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, said the Framework must prioritise “educational relevance, quality assurance, child online safety, and data privacy.”
Enitan represented by Mrs. Zainab Abubakar Suleiman, Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), FME,
recommended a phased pilot before national roll-out and stressed that only “credible, safe, and validated” platforms aligned with the national curriculum should be included.
The Representative of the Director General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF), Dr. Louis Ebenezer, described the initiative as “forward-looking” and critical to closing the inclusion gap, reducing out-of-school children, and improving learning outcomes across all 36 states.
The NGF called for implementation that protects “fairness, network neutrality and the long-term sustainability of the telecom industry.”
In his presentation, Dr Yinka Oyerinde, Digital Transformation Specialist, UNESCO, noted the high cost of data in Nigeria, adding that during COVID-19 lockdown, access to quality online learning was severely hampered.
Oyerinde said the challenge is not just about connectivity, but also of equity and inclusion.
With the proposed Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria, he said, “Zero-rating will remove data cost barrier required to enable learners to have access to quality education and other essential services.”
According to him,”The goal is to ensure sustainable, transparent, and inclusive access.
“Zero-rating is framed as an “equity and inclusion” tool, not just a connectivity tool.
Industry Partners at the event also noted that Nigeria has led global innovation in zero-rating since 2016.
They emphasised that MNO partnerships and whitelisting of approved content will be critical to successful implementation.
A well-designed Zero-Rated Access Framework is expected to reduce the cost of educational connectivity, expand participation in digital learning, and contribute to stronger digital literacy and human capital development nationwide.
