FG Awards N2.5bn Grants to 45 Students

The Federal Government has awarded N2.5 billion in grants to 45 outstanding student-led ventures at the 2026 Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp and Awards held at the UNDP Innovation Hub in Lagos, following a rigorous selection process involving 65 finalists.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary institutions into hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He noted that beneficiaries could access up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding, alongside mentorship, incubation support, and digital tools. According to him, the over 30,000 applications received from 404 institutions underscore Nigeria’s growing innovation capacity.

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasised the importance of digital innovation in driving economic growth, urging young entrepreneurs to leverage technology to develop scalable solutions.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the resilience and creativity demonstrated by the finalists throughout the bootcamp.

Other stakeholders, including Muntari Dandutse and Elsie Attafuah, called for sustained investment in youth-driven innovation as a catalyst for national development.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing student entrepreneurs and building a strong pipeline of innovators to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.