The Federal Government has announced a shortlist of 65 student innovators for the final stage of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S‑VCG) programme, a key initiative aimed at promoting youth-led entrepreneurship and innovation in Nigeria. The selected students were chosen from a pool of 30,639 applicants representing 404 tertiary institutions nationwide.

The S‑VCG, launched under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, is designed to support student projects that have reached the commercialisation phase. Through the Bank of Industry (BOI), successful applicants can receive up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding to scale their ventures.

According to the Ministry of Education, the shortlisted ideas cover sectors essential to national development, showcasing the creativity and problem-solving potential within Nigerian universities.

Education Minister Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa hailed the achievement as a milestone for nurturing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. He highlighted that the quality and ambition of the projects demonstrate the growing entrepreneurial spirit among Nigerian students and the importance of supporting them to drive economic growth.

The selection process included multiple stages, including AI-assisted screening to verify eligibility and alignment with programme goals, followed by independent evaluation by a panel of experts from government, academia, industry, and investment sectors. Ventures were assessed based on feasibility, scalability, founder capability, and potential impact.

The 65 finalists will now take part in a venture development bootcamp, which will feature workshops, pitch sessions, and live evaluations to refine their projects ahead of the final grant award. The winners are expected to be announced at an awards event on March 29, 2026.

Officials say the programme underscores the government’s commitment to encouraging innovation, creating jobs, and supporting startups that can contribute to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.