FG to launch STEMM Up grant, promises N50 million for student innovators

The Federal Government is gearing up to launch the STEMM Up Grant in August, offering up to N50million in startup funding to undergraduate innovators in Nigeria’s universities and polytechnics.

The official unveiling is set for Wednesday, August 28, 2025. This new step targets full-time students in their third year (300-level) and above who are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medical Sciences.

Announcing the programme, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the grant aims to empower students to turn their ideas into real businesses. “I am proud to announce that the Federal Government is set to unveil the STEMM Up Grant, a bold and forward-thinking initiative designed to empower students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to build scalable, job-creating ventures,” Dr. Alausa stated in a release on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Selected student-led projects will get up to N50million each, plus access to mentorship, incubation services, and business support to help their ventures grow. The scheme, officially named the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences Student Venture Capital Grant (SVCG), is a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Bank of Industry to ensure transparency and measurable results.

In preparation, top education officials, students, and development partners recently met in Abuja to plan how the grant will boost innovation and job creation on campuses across the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the initiative is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s knowledge economy. She added that feedback from students and experts shaped the programme, and the ministry is committed to a fair and accountable process.

The STEMM Up Grant is expected to increase youth-led innovation, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a leading hub for student entrepreneurship in Africa. Applications and more details will be released as the rollout approaches, with monitoring promised to ensure the grants deliver real impact.