The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education. The shortlisted students, selected for their promising ideas and entrepreneurial potential, are developing solutions in sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, described the programme as a strategic investment in the nation’s future innovators and job creators. “The quality and ambition demonstrated by these 65 student innovators is deeply encouraging. Reaching this stage represents a significant milestone, and I look forward to the next phase as these ventures are refined and prepared for scale. Through this initiative, we are building a strong pipeline of innovators and entrepreneurs who will drive Nigeria’s future growth,” he stated.
Launched in December 2025 in partnership with the Bank of Industry, the SVCG provides up to N50 million in equity-free funding to student-led ventures that have reached the commercialisation stage. The programme is designed to help young entrepreneurs scale their innovations, generate employment, and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth.
The selection process, the ministry emphasized, was rigorous and transparent. Applications first underwent AI-enabled screening to assess eligibility and alignment with the programme’s objectives, followed by human verification. Shortlisted entries were then evaluated by a committee comprising experts from government, academia, industry, and the investment community, using criteria such as scalability, feasibility, founder capability, and potential impact.
The 65 finalists will now participate in an intensive venture development bootcamp scheduled for March 26–29, 2026. The bootcamp will feature pitch sessions, workshops, live evaluations, and investor-style feedback designed to strengthen the ventures and prepare them for funding. Final selections will be based on application scores, bootcamp performance, and recommendations from the evaluation committee.
The initiative will culminate on March 29, 2026, with the Student Venture Capital Grant Beneficiary Awards Day, during which successful recipients of the N50 million funding will be formally announced.
According to the Ministry of Education, the SVCG reflects the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, nurturing student entrepreneurs, and building scalable ventures capable of transforming Nigeria’s economic landscape.