Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Nigeria Plans Regulated Internet Access for Children Under 16
Nigeria says it plans to regulate how children under 16 use the internet.
The government says this is meant to help keep children safe online.
It has not said that children will be completely banned from using the internet.
Officials have not yet explained how the rules would work.
They might involve content filters, parental controls, age checks or internet-provider restrictions.
More information is expected from security authorities in the coming days or weeks.
Separately, students will be able to use some approved educational websites with free daily data starting October 1, 2026.
The government hopes this will make online learning less expensive.
Nigeria is preparing regulated internet access for children under 16, according to Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The government says the measure is intended to strengthen online child protection, not impose an outright internet ban.
Officials have not explained whether regulation will involve filtering, parental controls, age verification or provider restrictions.
From October 1, 2026, participating mobile operators will offer 100MB of daily free data for approved educational platforms.
The free-data program will initially target senior secondary and tertiary students before expanding.
- Who
- Nigeria’s government, including Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the planned measure.
- What
- Nigeria plans to introduce regulated internet access for children under 16 and provide free data for approved educational platforms.
- When
- The announcement was made at an unspecified date; the free educational data program is scheduled to begin October 1, 2026.
- Where
- The announcement took place in Abuja, Nigeria, and the proposed regulation would apply nationally.
- Why
- The government says regulation is intended to strengthen online child protection, while free educational data is intended to reduce data costs for online learning.
- Proposed age limit
- Children under 16
- Policy status
- Planned; implementation details have not been announced
- Stated purpose
- Strengthen online child protection
- Possible mechanisms
- Content filtering, parental controls, age verification or restrictions through internet service providers have been mentioned as possibilities, but none has been confirmed
- Free data launch
- October 1, 2026
- Daily allowance
- 100MB per day
- Initial beneficiaries
- Senior secondary and tertiary students