The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has backed the Federal Government’s zero-rated access to educational platforms, saying the initiative could significantly widen digital learning opportunities for Nigerians.
In a statement signed by ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and Publicity Secretary, Damian Udeh, the association said removing data charges on approved educational platforms would help tackle one of the major barriers limiting access to online learning, particularly for students and other learners from low-income households.
The programme, being implemented by the Federal Government in partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Federal Ministry of Education and participating telecommunications operators, provides subscribers with zero-rated access to approved educational content.
Subscribers will also receive an initial 100MB daily allocation for educational use, which ALTON said would support learning, teaching, examination preparation, research and other academic activities.
In the statement, the telecom operators’ association described the initiative as a major step towards expanding educational opportunities and accelerating Nigeria’s transition into a knowledge-driven digital economy.
ALTON said the programme highlights the growing role of telecom infrastructure beyond voice and data services, particularly as education, skills development and access to information increasingly move online.
“Connectivity is a powerful enabler of social and economic development,” the association said, noting that digital networks now create opportunities in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic participation.
According to ALTON, zero-rating educational platforms could make digital learning more accessible to students, teachers and other learners regardless of their location or socioeconomic background.
The association said reducing the cost of accessing educational resources would help more Nigerians participate in the digital learning ecosystem while supporting wider government objectives around human capital development and digital literacy.
ALTON also stressed that the success of the programme should not be judged by how much data subscribers consume.
Rather, it said the key indicators should be improved learning outcomes, increased educational participation, stronger digital literacy and the opportunities created for Nigerians to acquire knowledge and skills.
The association said the initiative demonstrates how Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure can be deployed to deliver measurable social and economic value.
“While connectivity remains the foundation, its real impact is measured by the opportunities it creates and the lives it transforms,” ALTON said.
It argued that expanding access to digital education would ultimately contribute to a more skilled, productive and competitive workforce, strengthening Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects.
ALTON commended the Federal Government, NCC, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and other stakeholders for collaborating on the programme.
The association described the initiative as a practical model for addressing national development challenges through public-private partnership.
ALTON added that the association and its members remained committed to supporting the programme and working with stakeholders to expand access to quality educational resources.
The association said the initiative ultimately represents more than free data, arguing that affordable digital access to education could help unlock opportunities for millions of Nigerians and strengthen the country’s digital economy.