No fewer than 45 student-led ventures have received a total of ₦2.2 billion in grants following the conclusion of the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp, aimed at empowering young Nigerian innovators to transform ideas into viable businesses.
The initiative attracted over 30,000 applications from 404 tertiary institutions across the country, with 65 finalists emerging after a rigorous selection process. At the end of the bootcamp, 45 outstanding ventures were selected as winners.
Organisers disclosed that the beneficiaries cut across federal, state, and private universities, with a majority drawn from public institutions, highlighting the widespread presence of talent and innovation across Nigeria.
A notable highlight of the programme was the strong showing by students from the University of Lagos, where eight winners emerged, many of whom participated in the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme.
The EIBIC initiative, according to organisers, is designed to equip students with practical skills to transition from conceptual ideas to fully developed ventures, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
The Student Venture Capital Grant was described as more than just financial support, but a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s youth and innovation ecosystem.
The programme was supported by partners including the Bank of Industry Nigeria, Afara Initiative, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), whose contributions were acknowledged by organisers.
Stakeholders commended the initiative for providing a platform that nurtures creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving among Nigerian students, while expressing optimism that the beneficiaries will contribute significantly to national development.
The organisers noted that the success of the programme reinforces confidence in the next generation of Nigerian innovators, describing them as key drivers of future economic growth.
