Four final-year medical students of the University of Benin have emerged among the finalists of the Federal Government’s Student Venture Capital Grant (SVCG), a competitive funding initiative designed to support commercially viable student-led innovations across Nigeria.
The SVCG programme, introduced in November 2025 in partnership with the Bank of Industry, offers up to N50 million in non-dilutive funding to student entrepreneurs whose projects have reached the commercialisation stage. The initiative is part of broader efforts to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation among young Nigerians.
Out of a total of 30,639 applicants drawn from 404 tertiary institutions nationwide, only 65 student innovators progressed to the final stage, underscoring the highly competitive nature of the scheme. Government officials have described the initiative as a strategic investment in nurturing the next generation of innovators and economic drivers.
Representing UNIBEN are six-year medical students who developed UpCare, a digital health solution aimed at transforming patient data management in Nigeria. The platform introduces a patient-owned, decentralised digital health diary system that allows individuals to securely store and manage their medical records.
Designed to function across multiple healthcare facilities, UpCare enables continuous updates of patients’ medical histories, ensuring seamless access to critical health information. The innovation is expected to reduce waiting times, improve efficiency in healthcare delivery, and provide instant access to vital records, particularly during emergencies.
Beyond convenience, the platform also addresses a longstanding challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare system by promoting continuity of care as patients move between hospitals and clinics.
The UpCare project is led by Francis Nwabueze, alongside team members Ayebamiebi Yousuo, Osahon Onariase, and Daniel Itegboje, whose selection highlights the growing role of student-driven innovation in addressing real-world challenges in the country’s health sector.