The Federal Government has opened applications for the Student Venture Capital Grant (SVCG), an equity-free initiative offering up to ₦50 million to support student-led innovations.
The Ministry of Education announced the portal opening in a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa emphasized the programme’s role in fostering Nigeria’s next generation of tech leaders:
“We are scouting for future Nigerian Unicorns whose roots will be planted right here in our universities and colleges. This is an equity-free seed investment in Nigeria’s future.”
The grant targets students innovating in STEMM fields—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences—and provides incubation, mentorship, and access to essential tools.
In partnership with Google, the programme uses Gemini AI for automated evaluation, with every applicant receiving a one-year Gemini Pro licence and premium learning resources. Successful proposals are expected to demonstrate scalability, market relevance, and potential to solve national or global challenges.
Applications are open to students of accredited tertiary institutions via svcg.education.gov.ng