By Ameh Gabriel
In a bold move to foster youth innovation and entrepreneurship, the Federal Government is set to launch the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to create scalable, job-generating ventures.
This was contained in a statement issued on the 25th July 2025 by Boriowo Folasade
Director, Press and Public Relations Federal ministry of Education
The statetment reads: Popularly known as the “STEMM Up Grant”, the initiative will be officially unveiled in August by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON.
The announcement was made during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Abuja, which brought together Vice Chancellors, Provosts, Rectors, student leaders, academic staff, and development partners to collectively chart a new path for student-led innovation in Nigeria.
“S-VCG is not just a grant. It’s a launchpad for bold, young innovators to lead Nigeria’s industrial and technological transformation,” said Dr. Alausa. “We are giving our students the tools to dream, build, and scale solutions that solve real-world problems from tech and medicine to agriculture and green energy.”
Targeted at full-time undergraduate students in STEMM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences), particularly those in their 300 level and above, the initiative offers startup funding of up to ₦50 million per selected project. Beneficiaries will also have access to mentorship, incubation services, and business development support.
To ensure transparency and impactful execution, the initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI).
Also speaking at the engagement, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the grant as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy. “We’re building a stronger, more competitive future by supporting innovation from the ground up,” she said, noting that the grant was developed following months of consultation with students, faculty, and institutional heads.
The launch of the STEMM Up Grant aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusive education, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic growth.
Participants at the stakeholder meeting described the STEMM Up Grant as a timely and transformative initiative capable of reducing graduate unemployment, spurring youth innovation, and positioning Nigeria as a leader in student-driven entrepreneurship across Africa.
The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to an inclusive rollout and rigorous monitoring to ensure measurable and long-lasting impact across Nigeria’s higher institutions.
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