Nigeria’s Federal Government has introduced a surprising and ambitious boost for young innovators with the launch of the Student Venture Capital Grant, a programme offering equity-free funding of up to ₦50 million for student-led startups.
The announcement, made by the Ministry of Education, has generated excitement across tertiary institutions nationwide.
Moreover, many stakeholders say the initiative arrives at a crucial time when students need stronger support to take ideas from concept to market.
The grant is targeted at innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM), marking the government’s biggest student-focused investment yet.
However, what caught many by surprise is the scale of the initiative and its bold vision for helping students build solutions with global potential.
The Student Venture Capital Grant aims to empower young founders addressing real challenges while showing clear potential for scale and commercial success.
Education Minister Tunji Alausa emphasised the national ambition behind the programme.
He said, “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.”
His comment reflects a shift toward encouraging students to think bigger and compete in global innovation spaces.
Furthermore, the programme offers a path for student ideas to grow beyond classroom experiments.
According to the Ministry, successful applicants will enjoy a full support system, including mentorship and incubation opportunities.
In addition, participants will gain access to tools designed to strengthen their ideas and prepare them for the wider market.
This backing is expected to help students move from concept stage to practical execution with guidance that is often unavailable in traditional academic settings.
Meanwhile, the Ministry also announced a major partnership with Google to enhance the programme’s evaluation process.
Google’s Gemini AI will power automated assessments to ensure fairness and efficiency.
Moreover, every applicant will receive a one-year Gemini Pro licence and access to premium learning resources.
The Ministry noted, “Our goal is to ensure students begin their entrepreneurial journey with the best tools globally. We are building a powerful innovation funnel from idea to market domination.”
Applicants are expected to show strong potential in problem-solving and innovation.
The Ministry added, “Applicants should demonstrate scalability, market relevance, and the potential to solve critical national or global challenges.”
Therefore, students are encouraged to present well-structured proposals that highlight clear value and long-term impact.
The application portal, svcg.education.gov.ng, is now open to students in accredited tertiary institutions.
Interested innovators are advised to submit their proposals early to ensure smooth evaluation.
Furthermore, the selection process has been designed to reward creativity, feasibility, and ambition.
Although the initiative is new, many education analysts say it could reshape entrepreneurship culture in Nigerian campuses.
In addition, the programme signals a growing recognition of student-led solutions in national development.
