Nigerian students in public institutions may soon have some relief from the cost of internet data, as the Federal Government plans to provide 100MB of free data daily from 1 October 2026.
The initiative is aimed at helping students access learning materials and other educational resources online without having to spend as much on data.
The first phase is expected to cover students in public senior secondary schools and public tertiary institutions, including universities and polytechnics.
The free data is mainly intended for approved educational websites and digital learning platforms. It is not unrestricted data for general internet use, social media or entertainment.
MTN, Airtel and Globacom are among the network operators expected to take part in the initiative.
How can students apply?
For now, the Federal Government has not announced an official registration website, USSD code or activation process.
Students are advised to wait for updates from the government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), their institutions or network providers. They should also be careful with unofficial links and anyone asking for money or sensitive information such as an OTP, password or bank details.
If successfully implemented, the programme could make it easier for students to access lecture materials, digital libraries, research resources and other approved educational content.
The free data programme is expected to begin on 1 October 2026.
