FG launches N50 million Student Venture Capital Grant
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has opened the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG). This national grant helps student founders turn clear ideas into real businesses that can solve problems in Nigeria and beyond.
S-VCG is a key part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It is set up to grow a new group of Nigerian student entrepreneurs who can shape the country’s economic future with strong STEMM-based projects in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical sciences.
Federal Government focus on student founders through S-VCG
At the public announcement, the Honourable Minister of Education, Chief Dr Tunji Alausa FAMedS, CON, stressed how central students are to this plan. He explained that the President has asked the Ministry to look for the “next Moonshot” inside Nigerian higher education.
He said that the grant is not only for simple school projects but for bold business ideas that can grow into future Nigerian unicorns, with roots in local universities and colleges. He also described S-VCG as an equity free seed investment in the country’s future.
How the Federal Government Student Venture Capital Grant works
S-VCG is built to back student led ventures that solve real problems, can grow over time and can reach the market.
Key points include:
- Grant size of up to N50 million per venture
- Equity free funding, so student founders keep full ownership of their ideas
- Focus on STEMM fields:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Medical Sciences
The grant targets ideas that can move from campus projects into working products and services. For example, a health tech app built by medical and computer science students, or a smart farming tool created by engineering students.
Support package beyond the N50 million grant
S-VCG is not just about giving money. Student teams that receive the grant also enter a wider support system that helps them build real companies.
Successful applicants will gain:
- Intensive incubation programmes where teams can refine their ideas and build early versions of their products
- Expert mentorship from experienced founders and industry leaders who share real world advice
- Access to tools, digital platforms and other resources needed to grow and test their startups
This mix of funding, guidance and tools helps student teams move from ideas on paper to working businesses that can face real customers.
Key benefits for students
Through S-VCG, student founders can:
- Test their ideas without giving up equity at an early stage
- Work with mentors who have built companies before
- Gain access to modern digital tools that may be hard to afford on their own
- Build real portfolios and experience that matter for future careers
Google partnership and use of Gemini AI
To give Nigerian students an edge in global tech and business spaces, the Ministry of Education is working with Google on the S-VCG programme.
As part of this partnership:
- Google’s Gemini AI runs custom built “evaluation agents” inside the S-VCG portal
- These agents help review applications in a fair and quick way, using clear scoring rules
- Every student who submits a valid business project or innovation idea receives:
- A one year free Google Gemini Pro licence
- Premium learning resources to build both entrepreneurial skills and technical strength
This means that students gain advanced digital tools and training from the very start of their startup work, even if they do not receive the full N50 million grant.
Who can apply for the Student Venture Capital Grant
S-VCG is open to:
- Nigerian students
- Enrolled in accredited tertiary schools within the country
The grant targets teams and founders who can show:
- Clear problem statements
- Realistic plans to grow and scale
- Strong market fit in Nigeria or globally
- Links to STEMM fields and practical use cases
Applications are expected to show how the idea can move from a small project into a product or service that people or organisations will be ready to use or pay for.
How to apply for S-VCG
The official application portal is now live. Eligible students should submit their proposals through the Student Venture Capital Grant S-VCG portal at:
Student Venture Capital Grant S-VCG application portal
Proposals should:
- Show how the idea can grow and reach more users
- Explain why the idea matters for Nigeria or the wider world
- Make clear how the team plans to move from idea stage to product and then to a stable business
Teams should also be ready to work through incubation, meet mentors regularly and use the tools provided by the programme.
What this grant means for students and the Federal Government
Through S-VCG, the Federal Government gives Nigerian students a rare chance to build serious ventures while still in school. The mix of up to N50 million in equity free funding, guided support and access to Gemini AI tools sets a clear path from classroom ideas to working companies.
By backing smart STEMM projects and helping them reach the market, the Federal Government sends a strong signal that student founders are central to Nigeria’s economic future and long term growth.
