Nigeria’s student innovators are set to benefit from a major boost as the Federal Government launched the Student Venture Capital Grant to support young founders across tertiary institutions. The initiative offers up to N50 million in equity-free funding to student-led enterprises, positioning campuses as hubs for MSME growth and research-driven innovation.
According to the Ministry of Youth Development, the programme recorded 17,914 applications from 402 institutions, showing strong demand for early-stage support among young entrepreneurs. Shortlisted teams will pitch their ideas before a twelve-member expert panel in a process designed to strengthen investor readiness and build viable student enterprises.
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Stakeholders including NANS and development partners described the grant as a turning point for youth-powered MSMEs. They noted that the scheme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding access to funding and accelerating the entry of new ventures into Nigeria’s business landscape.
The ministry said the grant will help student founders move from prototypes to market-ready solutions while deepening the national pipeline of innovation-driven small businesses.
