The application portal – svcg.education.gov.ng – is now open for submissions.Announcing the programme on Friday, the Ministry of Education said the S-VCG is designed to identify, nurture, and accelerate high-impact innovations emerging from Nigeria’s higher institutions, with special focus on breakthroughs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM).

Only full-time undergraduate students from 300-level upwards in accredited public and private universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education are eligible to apply. 

Successful applicants will receive not just the grant but also mentorship, incubation support, and comprehensive business development services to transform their ideas into viable enterprises that solve real national challenges.

To guarantee transparency and efficient disbursement, the programme is being executed in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), which will manage the fund and provide technical oversight.

The Ministry urged eligible students with scalable prototypes or early-stage ventures to apply immediately through the dedicated portal, stressing that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to drive youth-led innovation, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a hub for home-grown technological solutions.