FG Unveils 65 Finalists for Student Venture Capital Grant Programme

FG Unveils 65 Finalists for Student Venture Capital Grant Programme
Student Innovators to be Empowered With ₦50m Funding Initiative
SVG Attracts 30,639 Applicants

The Federal Government has shortlisted 65 student innovators for the final stage of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), a key initiative introduced under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among young Nigerians.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the finalists emerged from a highly competitive pool of 30,639 applicants drawn from 404 tertiary institutions across the country, underscoring the growing interest in innovation and enterprise among students.

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Announcing the development, the Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, noting that the quality of ideas presented by the finalists reflects the country’s expanding pool of young innovators.

“The quality and ambition demonstrated by these 65 student innovators is deeply encouraging. Reaching this stage represents a significant milestone,” the minister said, adding that the initiative is helping to build a pipeline of entrepreneurs capable of driving economic growth.

The Student Venture Capital Grant, launched in December 2025 in partnership with the Bank of Industry, is designed to support student-led businesses that have reached the commercialisation stage. Selected beneficiaries are eligible to receive up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding to scale their ventures.

The selection process involved multiple stages, beginning with AI-driven screening to assess eligibility and alignment with programme objectives. This was followed by human verification and further evaluation by a panel comprising experts from government, academia, industry and the investment community.

FG Unveils 65 Finalists for Student Venture Capital Grant Programme — Dr. Tunji Alausa

According to officials, the shortlisted ventures were assessed based on criteria such as scalability, feasibility, founder capability and potential impact.

As part of the final phase, the 65 innovators will participate in an intensive venture development bootcamp scheduled to hold from March 26 to March 29, 2026. The programme will feature pitch sessions, workshops and live evaluations aimed at refining their business ideas and preparing them for growth.

Final beneficiaries of the grant will be announced at an awards event slated for March 29, 2026, where successful participants will receive funding support to expand their ventures.

The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, create jobs and drive sustainable economic development through youth-led enterprises.