By Jessica Dogo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has commenced the Zero Rated Data Access to Approved Educational Platforms and Content Initiative.
This was made known in a statement jointly signed by NCC’s Director, Public Affairs Department, Nnenna Ukoha and ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo on Thursday in Abuja.
Ukoha said the initiative, which commenced on Oct. 1, would provide eligible users with up to 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily data to access designated educational platforms.
“The programme is aimed at reducing the cost of digital learning and enabling learners to access educational resources, conduct research, take online courses and engage in other academic activities.”
She said under the operator-sponsored model, a learner receiving the full 100MB daily allowance could access about 700MB of educational content weekly, approximately 3GB monthly and up to 36.5GB annually.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, was quoted as saying that the initiative was part of broader government efforts to equip Nigerians with digital skills and knowledge and advance human capital development.
Maida said the programme aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a 1 trillion dollar economy, which he said depended significantly on investment in people through education, skills acquisition and access to learning opportunities.
He said the significance of the initiative should be viewed beyond the daily 100MB allocation, particularly when considered over time and across the millions of learners expected to benefit.
“One hundred megabytes of data might sound a little, but when you look at it over a month and over a year,
“And cumulatively over the millions of learners and students that are going to access it, it’s really a significant investment by the industry towards the future of this country,” he said.
Maida said increased connectivity would also help bridge disparities in access to educational resources across different parts of the country.
This, he said, would be done by connecting students to teachers, learning materials and knowledge resources irrespective of their locations.
He described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria and the telecommunications industry.
He further said that it would contribute to building a productive workforce capable of driving innovation, economic growth and national development.
“If the economy becomes more productive through these people who access these educational platforms, they are the future innovators in Nigeria, they are the ones who are going to come up with ideas and become leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Maida said that making learners more productive would create more opportunities for growth in the telecommunications sector, stressing that the initiative was focused on securing the future rather than short-term gains.
Also, ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, was quoted as saying that the telecommunications and wider technology industry had demonstrated significant commitment to the initiative.
This, according to him, has been delivered through financial and in-kind contributions valued at almost N200 billion for the initial pilot involving 5,000 learners.
Adebayo said the aggregate value included the daily 100MB connectivity allocation, network resources, devices, terminals and other support provided by industry stakeholders.
He said that telecommunications operators were absorbing the cost of providing connectivity and network capacity required to deliver daily access to approved educational platforms.
According to him, the initiative has attracted a whole-of-industry response involving telecommunications operators, original equipment manufacturers, TowerCos and other technology stakeholders.
He said the value of the initiative should not be measured only by the volume of data provided, but also by its potential to enable learners to access knowledge.
He said that it would enable them prepare for examinations, conduct research, acquire digital skills and participate in the emerging digital economy.
He said ALTON and its members remained committed to working with the Federal Government, NCC, Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that the investment produced measurable and lasting educational outcomes. (NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne
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