Applications are open for the NANSInnovate 2026 Business Grant Program, a nationwide entrepreneurship initiative organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for students building businesses or developing viable business ideas while studying in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The programme will bring student entrepreneurs together with investors, mentors and industry leaders for entrepreneurship development, networking and mentorship, culminating in a national pitch competition where 20 finalists will compete for business funding.
About NANSInnovate 2026
NANSInnovate 2026 is the flagship National Entrepreneurship & Business Summit of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
The programme is designed to identify promising student entrepreneurs across Nigeria, provide them with business development support and give outstanding participants an opportunity to secure funding for their ventures.
The programme includes:
Entrepreneurship and business development activities
Mentorship from experienced professionals
Networking with investors and industry leaders
Opportunities to connect with other student entrepreneurs
National business pitch competition
Business funding for outstanding ideas and ventures
Following the application and selection process, the Top 20 finalists will be invited to pitch their businesses at the national level.
Entrepreneurship and business development activities
Mentorship from experienced professionals
Networking with investors and industry leaders
Opportunities to connect with other student entrepreneurs
National business pitch competition
Business funding for outstanding ideas and ventures
Following the application and selection process, the Top 20 finalists will be invited to pitch their businesses at the national level.
About the National Association of Nigerian Students
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is a national umbrella body representing Nigerian students across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.
NANSInnovate is organised by NANS Headquarters as an entrepreneurship-focused initiative aimed at discovering and supporting student-led businesses across the country.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
Be Nigerian citizens
Be currently enrolled in a recognised Nigerian university, polytechnic or college of education
Be studying in any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the FCT
Have an existing business or a viable business idea they intend to develop
Possess a valid and current student ID card
Prepare and submit a business proposal
Complete all required sections of the application
There is no application fee.Grants, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Be currently enrolled in a recognised Nigerian university, polytechnic or college of education
Be studying in any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the FCT
Have an existing business or a viable business idea they intend to develop
Possess a valid and current student ID card
Prepare and submit a business proposal
Complete all required sections of the application
There is no application fee.Grants, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Eligible Business Categories
Applications are accepted in four broad categories:
Production/Manufacturing
Trading/Merchandise
Services
Agriculture
Both students who already operate businesses and those with viable ideas they want to launch can apply.
Trading/Merchandise
Services
Agriculture
Both students who already operate businesses and those with viable ideas they want to launch can apply.
Benefits
Selected participants will have access to:
Selected participants will have access to:
Opportunity to compete for business funding
Mentorship and business guidance
Networking with investors and industry leaders
Entrepreneurship learning and development
Exposure for promising student-led businesses
Opportunity to participate in the national summit
National pitch opportunity for the Top 20 finalists
Mentorship and business guidance
Networking with investors and industry leaders
Entrepreneurship learning and development
Exposure for promising student-led businesses
Opportunity to participate in the national summit
National pitch opportunity for the Top 20 finalists
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
Valid student ID card
Business proposal
100-word business pitch
CAC or SMEDAN certificate, if available
CAC or SMEDAN registration is optional and is not listed as a compulsory requirement.
Business proposal
100-word business pitch
CAC or SMEDAN certificate, if available
CAC or SMEDAN registration is optional and is not listed as a compulsory requirement.
Business Proposal Requirements
The proposal must meet the following specifications:
The proposal must meet the following specifications:
Microsoft Word (.docx) format
Maximum of 10 pages
Times New Roman
Font size 12
Single-line spacing
Maximum file size of 5MB
The proposal should clearly explain the business or proposed venture and provide the information necessary for the organisers to evaluate it.
Maximum of 10 pages
Times New Roman
Font size 12
Single-line spacing
Maximum file size of 5MB
The proposal should clearly explain the business or proposed venture and provide the information necessary for the organisers to evaluate it.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
Prepare their student ID and business proposal.
Complete the online application with their personal, school and business information.
Select the appropriate business category.
Upload the required documents.
Write a 100-word pitch explaining the business, the problem it addresses and how the funding would be used.
Submit the application and save the unique application code generated by the portal.
The application code can be used to check the status of the submission later.
Complete the online application with their personal, school and business information.
Select the appropriate business category.
Upload the required documents.
Write a 100-word pitch explaining the business, the problem it addresses and how the funding would be used.
Submit the application and save the unique application code generated by the portal.
The application code can be used to check the status of the submission later.
Selection and National Pitch
Applications will be reviewed to identify promising student entrepreneurs. The Top 20 finalists will progress to the national pitch stage, where they will present their businesses for an opportunity to receive funding.
