Google offers Nigerian students a free AI Plus subscription for 12 months

As Nigerian students return to universities for a new academic year, Google has introduced an exciting new offer to make its paid AI tools more accessible. Students aged 18 and older who are enrolled in accredited universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria can now get 12 months of Google AI Plus for free, a service valued at ₦92,400. This offer, part of the Gemini Student Offer, will be available starting September 2026 and is also being offered in 27 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Students who took advantage of the offer last year can renew it for another year by confirming their student status. This subscription provides access to helpful tools like Deep Research, which assists with longer research projects, and Gemini Live, enabling real-time voice chats with the AI.

Other benefits include custom practice quizzes, unlimited file uploads, and 400GB of cloud storage. Gemini Study Notebooks can turn uploaded lecture notes into quizzes and lesson plans. Additionally, students can use Google Lens to take pictures of equations or diagrams and get step-by-step help.

The package also features interactive 3D visualisations, great for subjects that require an understanding of structures and diagrams. For those working on final-year projects, Google’s Deep Research tool can help find and organise information, though students will still need to check their sources and do their academic work.

Google wants AI to teach, not just answer

Google’s recent announcement focuses on a new feature called Guided Learning, which aims to make its AI, Gemini, act more like a tutor rather than just providing quick answers. Instead of giving immediate solutions, Gemini will ask questions and offer hints to help students think through problems. This is especially important as schools and educators discuss the role of AI in education.

A study in West Africa with 1,763 students showed that those using Guided Learning experienced significant learning growth, equivalent to 1.2 to 1.7 years of progress in just eight weeks. Over 90% of their interactions with Gemini were about understanding concepts, with direct answers provided only 2% of the time. This indicates that AI can serve as a learning companion rather than just a shortcut for completing tasks.

Educators can manage how students interact with Gemini through Google Classroom by locking it in Guided Learning mode, ensuring students focus on learning rather than getting quick answers. Importantly, Google maintains that student data is not used to train its AI models.

Similar read: Google rolls out free 1 year Gemini AI Pro subscription for African students

For students, especially in Nigeria, having access to tools like Gemini can greatly enhance their learning experience by explaining difficult topics, generating practice questions, helping with research projects, and engaging in discussions. The goal is to help students become comfortable using AI for research and problem-solving.

Additionally, Google is introducing study-focused features on YouTube, such as reminders to take breaks and limits on distracting content, acknowledging that a large number of teenagers use online videos for their studies.

How Nigerian students can claim the offer

To claim the free 12-month subscription to Google AI Plus, eligible students can follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

1. Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you are currently enrolled in an accredited Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education.
2. Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
3. Proof of Enrollment: Have your proof of current enrollment ready, as it may be needed during the verification process.

Step 2: Start the Verification Process

1. Visit the Offer Page: Go to either the Gemini student offer page or the Google One AI student offer page.
2. Select the Offer: Choose the appropriate student offer that you want to claim.

Step 3: Verification with SheerID

1. Follow the Instructions: The offer page will guide you through the verification process. This is handled by SheerID.
2. Submit Your Information: Fill out any required fields with your personal details and upload proof of your current enrollment if asked.

Step 4: Await Confirmation

1. Check Your Status: After submitting your details, you may need to wait for SheerID to verify your information.
2. Receive Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation once your status has been verified, allowing you to access the subscription.

Step 5: Accessing Google AI Plus

1. Set Up Your Account: After verification, follow the instructions provided to set up your Google account if you don’t already have one.
2. Enjoy Your Subscription: Start using Google AI Plus and explore the AI tools available to you.

If you already claimed the offer last academic year, you can re-verify your enrollment status to renew the subscription for another year.

This offer is a great opportunity for eligible students to gain access to valuable tools easily, helping enhance both academic and practical skills.

Read also: Google rolls out Search Live globally, powered by new Gemini 3.1 Flash Live AI model