FG deepens support for student innovators with N50m each in equity-free funding scheme
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is leading efforts to give young Nigerians practical opportunities to turn innovative ideas into viable enterprises, as the second cohort of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) opens applications for student innovators nationwide.
The programme forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, to expand opportunities for young Nigerians, with 50 student-led ventures set to receive up to ₦50 million each in equity-free funding. According to a statement by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser ( Media and Communications) to Alausa, the National Project Coordinator of the S-VCG, Adebayo Onigbanjo, disclosed the development at a press briefing ahead of the nationwide campus mobilisation campaign scheduled for September 6–30, 2026.
The mobilisation is designed to take the programme directly to students across the country, particularly those developing solutions in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), while providing information on eligibility, application requirements and the selection process. The S-VCG team will visit nine tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones: University of Abuja, Nile University, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bayero University Kano, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, University of Lagos and Covenant University, Ota.
A Campus Ambassador Programme will also be activated in 20 additional institutions to extend awareness of the opportunity to more students nationwide. The Ministry is encouraging Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, lecturers and student leaders to identify promising innovators within their institutions and encourage them to apply.
