The Federal Government is set to unveil a new initiative, the STEMM Up Grant, to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students in Nigeria's tertiary institutions. The program, formally titled the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), is expected to launch in August 2025.

Announcing the development during a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, described the grant as a “launchpad for bold innovation,” aimed at empowering students to develop scalable ventures that can generate jobs and address real-world challenges in areas such as technology, medicine, agriculture, and renewable energy.

“This is more than a grant — it’s an opportunity to create transformative solutions for Nigeria’s future,” Dr. Alausa told an audience that included vice chancellors, provosts, rectors, student leaders, academics, and development partners.

The grant targets 300-level and above students studying STEMM disciplines. Each selected project may receive up to ₦50 million in funding, along with access to mentorship, incubation hubs, and business support services. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to ensure transparency and effective delivery.

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the program as a “strategic investment” in Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for youth empowerment and economic growth.

The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive rollout of the program across Nigerian higher institutions, with robust monitoring and measurable impact frameworks.