By Diran Laolu
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has opened applications for its national innovation and entrepreneurship initiative, NANSInnovate 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the National President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (BABTEE), on Monday, August 10, 2026.
According to Afeez, NANSInnovate 2026 was conceived to bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial viability.
“Across our campuses are brilliant young Nigerians with ideas that can solve problems, create jobs, and build successful businesses,” Afeez wrote.
“Unfortunately, many of these ideas never go beyond the classroom because of limited opportunities and access to funding. NANSInnovate 2026 is our response to that challenge.”
Afeez explained that the initiative aims to support student entrepreneurs who often struggle with limited access to seed capital and mentorship.
“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,” he said.
He encouraged Nigerian students with business ideas or existing businesses to apply for the programme, describing it as an opportunity to showcase their innovations to investors, business leaders and industry experts from across the country.
According to him, the top 20 student entrepreneurs in the competition will receive cash prizes worth millions of naira to support and expand their businesses.
“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,” he said.
Afeez further stated that the initiative could provide emerging entrepreneurs with recognition and access to resources that could help transform their ideas into sustainable businesses.
“The next great Nigerian business could begin here, and the next successful entrepreneur could be you,” he said.
Interested students can register through the NANS official application portal at grants.nanshq.org.
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