Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Federal Ministry of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 cohort of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), an initiative designed to support student-driven innovation and entrepreneurship across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
In an official correspondence dated 18th August 2026, the Ministry informed the Director of Colleges of Education of the programme’s commencement, urging widespread communication to ensure eligible students are aware of the opportunity. The initiative, a key component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the education sector, aims to provide equity-free seed funding and comprehensive support to student innovators.
The S-VCG is structured to identify and nurture high-potential ventures rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) fields. Successful applicants will receive up to ₦50 million in equity-free grants, alongside intensive incubation, expert mentorship, and access to essential networks and tools to scale their projects.
Record Participation and Impact
The inaugural 2025 cohort of the S-VCG recorded remarkable success, attracting over 17,240 student applicants from 404 tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Following a competitive selection process involving a 12-man panel of business experts and a rigorous boot camp, 45 student beneficiaries were selected . These beneficiaries commenced work on their respective projects after accessing a total of N50 million in equity-free grant funding.
This year, the Ministry is calling on institutions to actively sensitise and encourage eligible students to apply, as the initiative continues to play a critical role in positioning graduates as job creators rather than job seekers.
Application Details
The S-VCG is open to full-time students enrolled in both public and private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education who are at least in their third year (or equivalent) . Eligible ventures must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and demonstrate potential for growth and impact.
The application portal is now open, and students are encouraged to submit their proposals via the official website: https://svcg.education.gov.ng/.
The Ministry has emphasised that this programme represents a strategic national investment in young innovators, designed to transform tertiary institutions from centres of certification into hubs of innovation and economic development .
