45 Students Benefit From FG’s N2.2b 2026 S-VCG Bootcamp

The Federal Government has awarded a total of ₦2.2 billion in grants to 45 outstanding students ventures at the 2026 Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Finalist Bootcamp.

At the end of an intensive and highly competitive process, the winners emerged from a pool of 65 finalists whose business proposals were rigorously assessed by a 12-member panel of experts.

Delivering the keynote address, at the closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation held in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary institutions into hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving.

He described the S-VCG initiative as a key driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, designed to empower students to translate ideas into impactful ventures.

The Minister noted that beneficiaries of the programme can access up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding, alongside mentorship, incubation support, and cutting-edge digital tools.

He further highlighted the overwhelming national response to the initiative, with over 30,000 applications received from 404 tertiary institutions, underscoring the depth of creativity and innovation among Nigerian youths.

In his remarks, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, commended the students for their ingenuity and effective integration of technology into business solutions.

He emphasized the critical role of digital innovation in national development and encouraged participants to continue building scalable, technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, praised the finalists for their resilience, creativity, and commitment.

She noted that initiatives such as the S-VCG are instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation and equipping students with essential problem-solving skills.

Also speaking, Senator Muntare Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, called for sustained investment in youth-driven innovation to strengthen Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

Providing an overview of the programme, Mr. Adebayo Onigbanjo, National Project Coordinator of the Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit, outlined its structure, objectives, and long-term impact.

He explained that the initiative is designed to equip students with the resources, knowledge, and confidence needed to build sustainable and scalable ventures.

Also speaking, representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Elsie G. Attafuah, applauded the students’ forward-thinking ideas and encouraged continued contributions to sustainable development.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Itsuokor Marvellous of Pallo – B2B Codebase Scanning System expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government for its unwavering support through the S-VCG initiative.

He described the grant as a defining moment for all beneficiaries, noting that it represents far more than funding, but also a powerful endorsement of their ideas and potential.

Marvellous emphasized that the support will enable the winners to move beyond concepts and prototypes, transforming their innovations into practical, real-world solutions capable of delivering lasting social and economic impact.

PR/Nkiruka Okeke