The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education has launched a groundbreaking funding initiative: the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG). This programme provides up to ₦50 million in equity-free capital to student-led startups.
Aimed at nurturing innovation in Nigerian tertiary institutions, S-VCG supports students with big ideas — especially in STEMM fields — to scale their ventures into market-ready businesses.
Summary Table for Federal Government Student Venture Capital Grant
| Aspect | Details |
| Grant Size | Up to ₦50 million (equity-free) |
| Target Audience | Nigerian students in accredited tertiary institutions |
| Fields of Innovation | STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences |
| Additional Support | Incubation programmes, expert mentorship, access to tools & platforms |
| Technology Partner | Google Gemini AI for evaluation; successful applicants get a 1-year Google Gemini Pro license |
| Business Status Requirement | Business name must be registered with CAC; full company registration is not required |
| How Funding Is Disbursed | Milestone-based funding after validation |
Why This Grant Is a Big Deal
This isn’t just money — it’s a complete startup ecosystem for student founders:
- The grant is equity-free, which means winners don’t give up ownership.
- It’s part of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on building future innovators.
- Recipients will be supported through structured incubation, mentorship, and access to platforms that help turn ideas into real businesses.
- The Google partnership gives applicants a technical edge: Gemini AI will be used to evaluate proposals, and approved students get a free one-year Gemini Pro license plus learning resources.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the S-VCG grant, you must:
- Be currently enrolled in an accredited Nigerian tertiary institution (university, polytechnic or college of education).
- Be working on a project in STEMM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medical Sciences.
- Be preferably in a 300-level or above as an undergraduate. However, students in lower levels can apply if they are part of a team led by someone in a 300-level or higher.
- Register a business name with CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). Full company registration is not mandatory.
- Submit a proposal that shows:
- A real-world problem your idea tackles
- A clear, scalable solution
- A plan for how the project can be commercialised (business model)
What Winners Receive
If your application is successful, you will get:
- Up to ₦50 million in funding, released in milestones as you hit key targets.
- Incubation support to validate and grow your business model.
- Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
- Access to tools and platforms to help you scale.
- One-year Google Gemini Pro license + premium learning resources to boost your technical and entrepreneurial skills.
What You Need to Apply: Documents & Materials
Prepare the following to submit a strong application:
- Proof that you are a currently enrolled student — this could be a student ID, admission letter, or a school fee receipt.
- A well-written project proposal that covers: the problem, your solution, how you plan to scale, and how you’ll make it sustainable or profitable.
- Information about your team (if any): who you are, roles, strengths.
- CAC-registered business name: You must have a name registered, though you don’t need a full company yet.
- Optional (but recommended): A pitch video to help sell your idea.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Create an Account on the Portal
- Visit the S-VCG application platform. https://svcg.education.gov.ng/
- Provide your personal details: name, email, phone number, and NIN (National Identification Number).
- Verify your account using a 4-digit OTP sent to your email.
- Fill out your student profile: choose your school, department, and level, then upload proof of enrollment.
- Prepare Your Proposal and Supporting Materials
- Write a clear proposal that explains your problem, solution, market, and business plan.
- Map out how much funding you need and what milestones you plan to hit.
- Gather team information and, if possible, record a short pitch video.
- Submit Your Application
- Complete the form on the portal.
- Upload your proposal, team info, proof of student status, CAC business name, and video (if any).
- Review Process, Funding & Incubation
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