FG Opens Portal for ₦50m Student Innovation Grant: How Nigerian Students Can Benefit 

Minister of Education,Tunji Alausa. 

The Federal Government has officially opened the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant, a bold new initiative designed to support student-driven innovation with equity-free grants of up to ₦50 million. This programme aims to empower young innovators across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to build solutions that can grow into globally competitive businesses. 

A Push for Innovation and Future Unicorns 

In a statement by the Ministry of Education, the Minister, Tunji Alausa, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to discovering breakthrough ideas within Nigerian universities and colleges. 

“The President has challenged us to look for the next Moonshot within our tertiary institutions… We are scouting for future Nigerian Unicorns whose roots will be planted right here in our universities and colleges.”-Minister of Education,Tunji Alausa. 

Who Can Apply and What the Grant Covers 

The grant targets students working on innovations in STEMM fields — Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences. It supports ventures that: 

• Solve real-world problems 

• Demonstrate strong market demand 

• Have the potential to scale and commercialise 

• Can create jobs and contribute to national development 

Successful applicants will receive more than funding. They will be placed in a full support system including: 

• Incubation programmes 

• Technical and business mentorship 

• Access to tools and professional guidance 

Google Partners with FG for Evaluation 

To strengthen the selection process, the ministry announced a partnership with Google. Google’s Gemini AI will provide automated evaluation on the portal, ensuring transparency and quality. 

Every applicant will also receive: 

• A free one-year Gemini Pro licence 

• Premium learning resources to support their innovation journey 

This equips students with world-class tools to develop and refine their ideas. 

How Students Can Apply 

Eligible students in accredited tertiary institutions can apply through:  svcg.education.gov.ng 

Applicants must submit proposals that clearly show: 

• Innovation and creativity 

• Scalability 

• Market relevance 

• Ability to solve national or global challenges 

The Student Venture Capital Grant is a life-changing opportunity for Nigerian students to turn ideas into impactful ventures. With up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding, mentorship, and global-standard tools, students can build solutions that transform communities and position Nigeria as a global innovation hub.