Google unveils 12-month free AI offer for Nigerian students
August 20, 2026 6:35 pm
Google has launched a new initiative offering eligible students in Nigerian higher institutions free access to Google AI Plus for 12 months ahead of the new academic session.
As reported by The Nation on Thursday, the offer, known as the Gemini Student Offer, is valued at ₦92,400 per student and is available to individuals aged 18 and above who are enrolled in accredited universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across Nigeria.
Students who benefited from the programme during the previous academic year can also renew their subscription for another year after verifying their student status.
The subscription provides access to advanced artificial intelligence tools through the Gemini app, including higher usage limits, Gemini Omni, Gemini Live for real-time voice conversations, Deep Research for academic projects, custom practice quizzes, unlimited file uploads and 400GB of cloud storage.
Nigeria is among 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where the initiative has been launched.
Speaking on the initiative, Google’s Director for West and East Africa, Olumide Balogun, said the company was focused on making AI-powered learning more accessible by removing financial barriers for students.
> “AI is the defining technological shift of our generation, and for Nigeria, with one of the youngest and most entrepreneurial populations in the world, it is an immediate leapfrog opportunity,” Balogun said.
He added: “By offering 12 months of free Google AI Plus for the second consecutive year, we are removing financial barriers so that Nigerian students can master complex subjects, build in-demand digital skills, and compete confidently in the global economy.”
Google said the initiative is designed to support learning rather than encourage academic dishonesty.
According to the company, Gemini’s Guided Learning mode works as a tutor by providing hints and guiding questions instead of simply giving students direct answers to academic tasks.
The approach was tested in a Google DeepMind study involving 1,763 students in West African schools. Google said participants using Guided Learning recorded learning gains equivalent to between 1.2 and 1.7 years within eight weeks.
The company added that more than 90 per cent of interactions focused on understanding concepts, while only two per cent resulted in direct solutions.
The technology can also be integrated into Google Classroom, allowing lecturers to keep Gemini in Guided Learning mode while ensuring that student and classroom data is not used to train Google’s AI models.
The free subscription includes study tools such as Gemini Study Notebooks, which can convert lecture notes and course materials into quizzes and lesson plans.
Students will also have access to Gemini Live and Deep Research for brainstorming and research, interactive 3D visualisations within chats, and Google Lens Homework Helper for solving equations and interpreting diagrams.
Eligible students can verify their enrolment through SheerID and claim the free 12-month Google AI Plus subscription through Google’s student offer portal.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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