NANS opens applications for student business grant, announces criteria

The National Association of Nigerian Students has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its entrepreneurship programme, NANSInnovate, offering student entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete for funding to grow their businesses.

The NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, announced the opening of applications in a Monday statement, inviting Nigerian students with business ideas or existing ventures to participate in the programme.

According to the association, the initiative is designed to identify and support students running businesses across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria.

Afeez said the programme would provide a platform for student entrepreneurs to present their ideas before investors, business leaders and industry experts.

He said, “Across our campuses are brilliant young Nigerians with ideas that can solve problems, create jobs and build successful businesses.

“Unfortunately, many of these ideas never go beyond the classroom because of limited opportunities and access to funding.”

He added, “NANSInnovate 2026 is our response to that challenge.

“We are providing a national platform where innovation will be rewarded, creativity will be encouraged and promising student entrepreneurs will receive the support they need to grow.”

The programme will culminate in a national pitch competition involving the top 20 finalists, who will compete for cash prizes worth millions of naira.

Afeez said, “At the end of the competition, the top 20 student entrepreneurs will go home with cash prizes worth millions of naira to support and expand their businesses.”

Who can apply?

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens currently enrolled in a recognised university, polytechnic or college of education in any of the 36 states or the Federal Capital Territory.

They must also have either an existing business or a business idea they intend to develop.

A valid student identity card is required, while applicants must submit a business proposal in Microsoft Word format.

Documents required

Applicants are required to provide:

A valid student ID card in JPG, PNG or PDF format.

A business proposal in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

A business proposal of not more than 10 pages.

Times New Roman, size 12 font, with single-line spacing.

A proposal not exceeding 5MB.

Applicants who have CAC or SMEDAN certificates may also submit them, although the certificates are optional.

How to apply

Interested students are required to visit the NANSInnovate application portal at grants.nanshq.org.

Applicants will provide their personal and school information before entering details about their businesses.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖