The Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, has tasked Nigerian students to take advantage of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), which offers Nigerian students the opportunity to access up to N50 million in investment funding for their businesses.
Speaking at the official launch of the S-VCG, in Abuja on Monday, Mr Alausa said the scheme, is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at empowering youth and fostering innovation.
Mr Alausa described the S-VCG as a government initiative designed to support student-driven innovations and startups through funding, mentorship, and visibility.
“Beneficiaries of the Student Venture Capital Grant will receive a comprehensive support package tailored to increase their chances of building viable, scalable ventures,” he said.
“This includes up to N50 million in equity-free seed investment, an intensive incubation programme, and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
“The programme is open to students of all federal, state, and private tertiary institutions, including undergraduate students in their third year and above, as well as master’s and PhD students.
“Your businesses must be CAC-registered, and the projects must fall within STEMM fields—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences.”
The S-VCG application portal opened on November 17, 2025, inviting students from federal, state, and private institutions to submit their applications.
Eligible students must be in 300-level or higher, have projects related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) and ensure their businesses are CAC-registered.
Selected applicants will advance to a second stage, where they will pitch their ventures to a 12-member panel of industry professionals. The application portal closes on January 23, 2026.