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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Nigerian students can apply for NANS business grant

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has launched its NANSInnovate entrepreneurship program for 2026.
  • The initiative aims to identify and fund student entrepreneurs with business ideas or existing ventures across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
  • Top finalists will compete in a national pitch competition for cash prizes worth millions of naira, with applications requiring a business proposal and student ID.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has opened applications for its 2026 entrepreneurship program, NANSInnovate. The initiative seeks to discover and support student entrepreneurs across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

NANS President Akinteye Babatunde announced the program, emphasizing its role in providing a platform for student businesses. "Across our campuses are brilliant young Nigerians with ideas that can solve problems, create jobs and build successful businesses," he stated. "Unfortunately, many of these ideas never go beyond the classroom because of limited opportunities and access to funding."

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.

— Akinteye BabatundeNANS President Akinteye Babatunde explained the rationale behind the NANSInnovate program.

NANSInnovate 2026 aims to bridge this gap by rewarding innovation and encouraging creativity. The program will culminate in a national pitch competition where the top 20 finalists will vie for substantial cash prizes. "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," Babatunde added.

To be eligible, applicants must be Nigerian citizens currently enrolled in a recognized tertiary institution. They need to have an existing business or a viable business idea and must submit a business proposal of no more than 10 pages, along with a valid student ID card. Optional certificates from CAC or SMEDAN can also be submitted. Interested students can apply through the NANSInnovate portal at grants.nanshq.org.

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.

— Akinteye BabatundeNANS President Akinteye Babatunde described the program's objective.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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