The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has expressed strong support for the Federal Government’s Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Programme, describing the initiative as a significant step towards expanding educational opportunities and advancing digital inclusion across Nigeria.
The programme is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and participating telecommunications operators.
According to ALTON, the initiative demonstrates the positive impact that can be achieved when government, regulators and the telecommunications industry work together towards a shared national objective.
The association noted that telecommunications connectivity has become an increasingly important driver of social and economic development, extending beyond communication to support education, innovation, entrepreneurship, healthcare delivery and broader economic participation.
As education continues to move into digital spaces, ALTON said, affordable access to online educational resources has become increasingly important to ensuring that students and other learners are not excluded from the opportunities created by the digital economy.
Under the Zero-Rated Educational Access Programme, subscribers will be able to access approved educational platforms without incurring data charges, alongside an initial 100MB daily allocation for educational use.
The initiative is expected to support a wide range of activities, including teaching and learning, examination preparation, research and access to digital educational content, while helping to reduce the financial barriers that prevent many Nigerians from fully participating in online education.
ALTON further said the programme supports broader national objectives around human capital development, digital literacy and inclusive access to educational opportunities.
By lowering the cost of accessing educational resources, the association noted, the initiative can help create greater opportunities for students, teachers and other learners across the country, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic circumstances.
For the telecommunications industry, ALTON said, the programme illustrates how digital infrastructure can be deployed to deliver lasting social value.
“Connectivity remains the foundation, but its real impact is measured by the opportunities it creates and the lives it transforms,” the association said, stressing that investments that improve access to education can contribute to building a more skilled, productive and competitive workforce.
ALTON particularly commended the Federal Government, NCC, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, as well as participating operators and other stakeholders, for their collaborative efforts in bringing the initiative to fruition.
The association described the programme as a practical model of how government-industry collaboration can be deployed to address critical national development challenges and expand the benefits of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
