In a bold move to drive youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to unveil the STEMM Up Grant — a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering students in tertiary institutions to build scalable, job-creating ventures.
Officially titled the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), the program is set to be launched in August by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The announcement was made during a stakeholder engagement workshop held in Abuja. The event brought together vice chancellors, provosts, rectors, student leaders, academic staff, and development partners to forge a shared vision for supporting student-led enterprise in the knowledge economy.
According to Dr. Alausa, the S-VCG is more than just financial support.
“It’s a launchpad for bold, young innovators to lead Nigeria’s industrial and technological transformation,” he said.
“We are giving our students the tools to dream, build, and scale solutions to real-world problems — from tech and healthcare to agriculture and renewable energy.”
The grant specifically targets full-time undergraduate students studying STEMM-related courses, particularly those in their 300 level and above. Each selected project will receive up to ₦50 million in startup funding, in addition to mentorship, incubation, and business development support.
The initiative will be executed in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to ensure financial integrity, impact tracking, and successful implementation.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, lauded the program as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
“This grant supports innovation from the ground up. It’s about unlocking the potential of our youth to contribute meaningfully to national growth,” she said.
The STEMM Up Grant is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes inclusive education, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic transformation.
Stakeholders at the workshop hailed the initiative as timely and impactful, expressing optimism that it will address youth unemployment, promote innovation, and position Nigeria as a continental hub for student-led entrepreneurship.
The Education Ministry assured the public of a transparent and inclusive rollout process, with rigorous monitoring mechanisms to ensure the program delivers lasting results across Nigeria’s higher institutions.
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