The Federal Government has launched the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant, a national scheme aimed at supporting student-led innovations with equity-free grants of up to ₦50 million.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations on Monday.
At the launch, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, emphasised the programme’s significance for the government’s innovation agenda.
In his words, “The President has challenged us to look for the next Moonshot within our tertiary institutions.
“We are not just looking for projects; we are scouting for future Nigerian Unicorns whose roots will be planted right here in our universities and colleges.”
“This is an equity-free seed investment in Nigeria’s future.”
The ministry said the grant is targeted at students developing innovations in STEMM fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences.
It added that the programme is designed to “ignite and support student-driven innovation by funding ventures that address real-world challenges with clear potential for scale and commercialisation.”
Successful applicants will benefit from a full support ecosystem that includes incubation, mentorship, and access to necessary tools.
The ministry also revealed a partnership with Google to enhance the evaluation process.
It explained that one of the programme’s goals is to ensure that “our students begin their entrepreneurial journey with the very best tools available globally. We are building a powerful innovation funnel from idea to market domination.”
The statement further noted that Google’s Gemini AI will power automated evaluations on the portal, and that every applicant will receive a free one-year Gemini Pro licence along with premium learning resources.
The application portal is now live at svcg.education.gov.ng, and students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions are encouraged to apply.
The ministry advised applicants to submit proposals demonstrating “scalability, market relevance, and potential to solve critical national or global challenges.”
