By Editorial Staff 
The application portal for the equity-free ₦50 million grants for undergraduates in Nigeria has now gone live for innovative students to submit their applications. Dubbed S-VCG, it is student-led innovation funding, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Objectives
To ensure that Nigerian students begin their entrepreneurial journey and have access to the best tools globally.
During its launch in Abuja on Monday, November 17, 2025, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that the Student Venture Capital Grant is designed to scout for the next generation of Nigerian unicorns, meaning the initiative isn’t just about students who currently have a project, but those who can transform their innovation into a bigger venture.
But the question is…
Who can apply?
Student Venture Capital Grant is for all undergraduates in every Nigerian-based university, whether it is owned by the Federal, State, or private sector — it doesn’t matter. This initiative is a step ahead of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is currently limited to students at public institutions.
Undergraduate students in the following institutions in Nigeria can apply:
- Federal universities
- State universities
- Private universities (doesn’t matter whether it is owned by religious organisations)
- Federal colleges of education
- State colleges of education
- Federal polytechnics
- Private polytechnics
- Monotechnics
- Colleges of Agriculture, etc.
Will I pay the money back to the government?
NO! The word “grant” means a form of financial support to boost a beneficiary’s ideas and innovations, meaning once you apply and get the grant, it is an avenue for you to keep expanding.
I just gained admission, can I apply?
If you are applying as an individual, you must be in 300 level. If you are in 100 or 200 level, you can form a group that shares the same goal and is led by a 300-level student.
If you are in the polytechnic, the applicant or leader of a team must be in HND 1.
Can I apply without a registered Business Name?
You need a registered business name to apply. Registration for a Business Name (BN) is less than ₦20,000 if you can handle the registration by yourself. It may be more if you are using a third party such as a CAC-accredited agent. So, ensure your project or innovation has a registered BN.
What kind of business ideas can apply?
Your innovation or ideas must fall under Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMMS).
For Science, you can find life sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, physics, and other natural sciences. For Technology, you can find computer science, information technology, and other technological fields. For Engineering, you can find civil engineering, physics and telecommunication engineering, electrical, mechanical, etc.
Under Mathematics, you can find areas such as algebra, calculus, arithmetic, statistics, geometry, mathematical physics, financial mathematics, combinatorics.
Healthcare, nursing, and other health sciences are under Medicine.
Those in Social Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Management Sciences and others outside STEMMS are not eligible to apply.
Is it just about submitting an idea?
Your business concept must be beyond the proof of concept; “it should be sufficiently developed to demonstrate real-world potential, not just an idea on paper,” the government says.
Speaking, the education minister said, “the initiative is designed to ignite and support student-driven innovation by funding ventures that address real-world challenges with clear potential for scale and commercialisation.”
What next if I receive the grant?
If your application is successful, you will be placed in a full support system that includes incubation, mentorship, and access to business tools.
Evaluation process
As part of measuring up to the globally accepted standard, the Federal Ministry of Education says it is partnering with Google “to strengthen the programme’s evaluation process.”
How to apply
1) Create an account at svcg.education.gov.ng if you are in any accredited tertiary institution in Nigeria. Application requirements include NIN, active phone number, and email address.
2) Check your inbox to enter the OTP that will be sent to you; alternatively, check your spam folder if you can’t find the OTP in your inbox.
3) Upload your business details, pitch video, and submit funding request through the S-VCG portal.
4) Your application will pass through multiple review processes.
5) If your idea or your team makes it to the validation stage, then your solution will be refined and prepared for milestone activation.
6) Finally, you receive the Student Venture Capital Grant.
Support
As part of the support, every applicant will receive a free one-year Gemini Pro licence and premium learning resources.
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Anita John 
Opeyemi Quadri