Students Urge FG To Fulfil Promise Of Free Daily Educational Data

University students have urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise of providing 100 megabytes (MB) of free daily educational data to students in public institutions, lamenting that they are yet to benefit from the initiative one month after its scheduled commencement.

The students also called for improved internet services in their institutions, saying poor network connectivity and the rising cost of data had continued to hamper their access to online educational resources and academic research.

They students who, made the appeal in exclusive interviews with LEADERSHIP, said the failure to implement the initiative had further compounded the challenges they faced in accessing digital learning platforms.

The Federal Government had, on September 10, 2026, announced the initiative, with October 1 fixed as the commencement date.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during the launch of the Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The programme, being implemented by the NCC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators, is designed to provide eligible students in public secondary schools and tertiary institutions with up to 100MB of free data daily to access approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.

The initiative is aimed at reducing the cost of internet access, promoting digital learning and enabling students to access online academic materials, digital libraries and other educational resources.

However, students who spoke with our correspondent said they were yet to receive the promised data, more than a month after the programme was expected to begin.

A 200-level student of the Federal University of Lafia, Taye Abdul Malik, said he had not received the data, questioning whether the 100MB allocation would be sufficient for students’ academic needs.

“I have not received the 100MB promised by the government, and even if I did, what would 100MB do? It is too small to be useful,” he said.

Similarly, a 400-level student of the institution, John Adi, urged the government to address the poor internet services affecting students’ academic activities.

He said unreliable network connectivity had made it difficult for students to access online resources, particularly when conducting academic research.
“The internet services are not reliable.

Most times, it is difficult to access the internet, especially when you need it for academic research. I have not received any 100MB promised by the government,” he said.

Another 400-level student of the Federal University of Lafia, Precious Ekutosi, also called for improved internet facilities, lamenting that the institution did not provide reliable internet services.

“No, the university does not provide reliable internet services, and I have not received the 100MB promised by the government,” she said.

At Nasarawa State University, a 300-level student, Glory Amos, also expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, saying poor network services had continued to affect students’ access to the internet.

“No. In fact, network services are very poor, and there is nothing from the government,” she said.