The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has launched applications for the 2026 edition of NANSInnovate, its entrepreneurship initiative targeting student-run businesses across the country’s tertiary institutions.
Akinteye Babatunde, the national president NANS, announced the opening of applications in a statement issued recently, inviting students with existing ventures or business concepts to take part in the scheme.
The association said the programme is aimed at identifying and backing student entrepreneurs in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide, giving them a platform to pitch to investors, business leaders and industry experts.
Why it matters
NANS said the initiative addresses a funding gap that has stalled many promising student business ideas. A NANS official noted that numerous viable concepts from students never progress beyond the classroom due to limited access to capital and opportunity, adding that the programme was designed to reward innovation and support student entrepreneurs at a national level.
Twenty finalists will emerge from the process to compete in a national pitch event for cash prizes running into millions of naira.
Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must be Nigerian citizens currently enrolled in a recognised university, polytechnic or college of education in any of Nigeria’s 36 states or the FCT, and must have either an active business or a developed business idea.
Documentation required
Applicants must submit: A valid student ID card (JPG, PNG or PDF), a business proposal in Microsoft Word (.docx) format, no more than 10 pages. Besides, applicants are expected to bring along the proposal formatted in Times New Roman, size 12, single-line spacing, and not exceeding 5MB in size CAC or SMEDAN registration certificates may be attached but are not mandatory.
Application process
Interested students can apply via the NANSInnovate portal at grants.nanshq.org. The process requires applicants to input personal and institutional details, select a business category, production/manufacturing, trading/merchandise, services, or agriculture, and indicate whether their venture is a new idea or an existing business.
Applicants must upload their student ID and proposal, along with a 100-word pitch outlining the business, its significance, and intended use of funding.
On completion, each applicant receives a unique entry code for tracking application status, which NANS has advised participants to save.
NANS confirmed the application process is free and cautioned students against making any payments in connection with the scheme, describing any such solicitation as fraudulent and urging that it be reported.
Beyond the funding competition, the week-long programme will include mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, and engagement with investors and industry leaders, alongside the culminating pitch event for the top 20 finalists. Applications are open now at grants.nanshq.org.
Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years. He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team. Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.
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