The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has intensified efforts to promote student-led innovation nationwide with the ongoing Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) programme, as the application window closes on January 23, 2026.
The initiative, powered by the FME in collaboration with the National Skills Council, is designed to provide funding, validation support and national visibility for bold, high-impact businesses founded by students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to programme data, no fewer than 16,179 active student innovation projects are currently recorded across the country, with up to ₦50 million available as equity-free grant funding in the current S-VCG cycle. The programme covers all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring nationwide participation.
The S-VCG targets ventures within the STEMM fields — Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences — focusing on solutions that address real-world challenges in areas such as biotechnology, agriculture, digital technology, infrastructure, data analytics and healthcare delivery.
Under the programme framework, applicants submit their business details, pitch videos and funding requests through a central application portal. Projects undergo multiple review stages, with shortlisted teams receiving structured feedback and entering a validation and incubation process. Approved ventures receive milestone-based funding, with progress and disbursements tracked transparently through government-approved systems.
Apply here: https://svcg.education.gov.ng
Speaking on the strategic importance of the initiative, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa (FAMedS), CON, said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education and innovation at the centre of national development.
“The President has challenged us to look for the next moonshot within our tertiary institutions. We are not just looking for projects; we are scouting for future Nigerian unicorns whose roots will be planted right here in our universities and colleges,” Alausa said, describing the scheme as an investment in Nigeria’s future.
The S-VCG is open to students enrolled in both public and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Applicants must be at least 300 level or equivalent, though students in lower levels may participate as team members. Eligible projects must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and be beyond the proof-of-concept stage.
All submitted projects, including those not selected for immediate funding, are retained in a national innovation repository to ensure continued visibility to peers, partners and potential investors.
With the January 23 deadline approaching, the Ministry has urged eligible students to seize the opportunity to scale their innovations and contribute to national economic growth through research-driven entrepreneurship.
