By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Government has officially launched the application portal for the Student Venture Capital Grant—a pioneering national initiative offering equity-free grants of up to ₦50 million to support innovative projects led by students.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Education and signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a key pillar in the government’s drive to stimulate innovation across the country’s tertiary institutions.
“The President has challenged us to look for the next Moonshot within our tertiary institutions,” Alausa stated.
“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 grant is tailored for students developing solutions in STEMM fields—Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences.
According to the ministry, the initiative seeks 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 also benefit from a full support system—including incubation, mentorship and access to essential tools.
The programme has secured a strategic partnership with Google to enhance its evaluation process.
One of its core objectives, the ministry noted, 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.”
Google’s Gemini AI will drive automated assessment of applications, and each 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 eligible students enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions are encouraged to apply.
The ministry advised that proposals should show “scalability, market relevance, and potential to solve critical national or global challenges.”