The Federal Government has launched the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), a major new initiative offering up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding to student innovators across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, the programme is designed to help students transform high-potential ideas into commercially viable ventures, particularly in fields that drive global innovation.
According to a statement from the ministry’s Director of Press & Public Relations, the S-VCG forms a key part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on nurturing a pipeline of youth-led, innovation-driven enterprises across the country.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s future.
“The President has challenged us to look for the next Moonshot within our tertiary institutions,” Alausa said. “We are scouting for future Nigerian Unicorns whose roots will be planted right here on our campuses. This is an equity-free seed investment in Nigeria’s future.”
The grant offers up to ₦50 million to student founders working on innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM). Eligible ventures must show strong potential for commercialisation and the ability to tackle real-world problems at scale.
Beyond financial support, successful applicants will be enrolled in a structured incubation programme that includes expert mentorship, access to essential tools and platforms, and technical support intended to accelerate the journey from prototype to market-ready product.
As part of the launch, the Ministry announced a partnership with Google, which will deploy its advanced Gemini AI technology to support the evaluation process. Google’s customised “evaluation agents” will help streamline and strengthen application reviews.
Every eligible applicant will also receive a one-year free Google Gemini Pro license, alongside premium training resources to support technical and entrepreneurial development.
The Ministry said the collaboration is meant to give Nigerian students a competitive global edge, building “a powerful innovation funnel from idea to market domination.”
Applications are now open to all students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions across the country. https://svcg.education.gov.ng