Call For Applications: Federal Government TVET Initiative COHORT 3 (Up To ₦30,000 Monthly Stipend)

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The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has opened applications for Batch C (Cohort 3) of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Initiative, offering free vocational training and a monthly stipend of ₦30,000 to eligible Nigerians.

The programme is designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills to improve their employability, promote self-employment and support entrepreneurship.

Training will be delivered through accredited centres across the country, including federal and state technical colleges, government-owned institutions and registered private vocational training centres.

About the Federal Government TVET Initiative

The Federal Government’s TVET Initiative seeks to address unemployment and the skills gap by expanding access to practical and technical education.

Through the programme, participants receive hands-on training in various vocational fields to prepare them for employment, self-employment and business development.

The initiative offers two training pathways: the Short-Term Certificate (STC) and the Vocational Education and Innovation (VEI), allowing applicants to select programmes based on their educational background, existing skills and career goals.

Available Training Pathways and Duration

1. Short-Term Certificate (STC)

The Short-Term Certificate programme runs for six months and is targeted at beginners, school leavers and individuals seeking to acquire vocational skills.

Applicants are not required to possess formal educational qualifications to participate in this pathway.

2. Vocational Education and Innovation (VEI)

The Vocational Education and Innovation programme runs for one year and is designed for individuals with existing educational qualifications, informal training or vocational experience who wish to improve their skills or obtain formal certification.

Available Vocational Trades

Applicants can select from a range of technical, vocational and entrepreneurial fields, including:

Electrical Installation

Welding and Fabrication

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation

Plumbing

Automobile Repair

Fashion Design

Hospitality

Digital Media Production

Beauty Therapy

Livestock Farming

Additional vocational trades may be available on the official application portal.

Benefits of the TVET Initiative

Successful participants will benefit from:

Free vocational training: No tuition fees for the programme.

Monthly stipend: ₦30,000 allowance during training.

Practical skills acquisition: Hands-on training in selected vocational fields.

Certification: Opportunity to obtain recognised certification upon completion.

Starter packs: Graduates may receive starter packs to support self-employment.

Business support: Potential access to business loan opportunities.

Employment opportunities: Skills development to improve employability and support entrepreneurship.

Requirements for the TVET Initiative

Applicants are expected to meet the requirements for their preferred training pathway.

Short-Term Certificate (STC)

Applicants must have:

A valid National Identification Number (NIN).

A Bank Verification Number (BVN).

No formal educational qualification is required for this pathway.

Vocational Education and Innovation (VEI)

Applicants must possess any of the following

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC).

Certificate from a non-formal education programme, including community-based or NGO training.

How to Apply for TVET Batch C (Cohort 3)

Interested Nigerians can apply by following these steps:

Visit the official application portal at 

https://www.tvet.education.gov.ng/signup

Create an account using the required registration details.

Select either the Short-Term Certificate (STC) or Vocational Education and Innovation (VEI) pathway.

Complete the application form with accurate information.

Upload the required supporting documents.

Select a preferred vocational trade and accredited training centre.

Review the information provided and submit the application.

Applicants are advised to ensure that their registration details are accurate and that they meet the requirements for their selected training pathway.

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Call for Applications: Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027 Offers ₦1.5 Million to Entrepreneurs

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DEADLINE: December 15, 2026

Entrepreneurs with businesses they want to grow can apply for the Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027, a business pitch competition offering a ₦1.5 million prize to a winning founder.

Organised as part of the Learnstar Creative Summit 2027, the competition will select five founders to pitch their businesses live at the event in Lagos. The winner will be announced on the main stage on February 20, 2027.

Applications are open until December 15, 2026, according to the official competition page.

About the Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027

The Learnstar Startup Challenge is part of the Learnstar Creative Summit, an event bringing together entrepreneurs, creatives, investors and industry professionals to discuss business, innovation and the creative economy.

The competition gives selected founders an opportunity to present their businesses to a live audience and a judging panel. Five founders will pitch on the Exchange stage before the ₦1.5 million prize is awarded.

What the Winner Will Receive

The competition offers a ₦1,500,000 prize to the winning founder.

The official competition page confirms the prize amount and live pitch format. Applicants should consult the organisers for further details about the award’s terms and disbursement.

Who Can Apply?

The official competition page identifies the Learnstar Startup Challenge as a competition for founders. However, it does not provide a complete list of eligibility requirements in the information currently published.

Entrepreneurs should check the application portal for details on eligible countries, business stages, sectors, documentation and any other selection criteria before applying.

How to Apply for the Learnstar Startup Challenge 2027

Interested founders can apply through the official Learnstar Creative Summit competitions page.

Visit the competition website.

Select The Learnstar Startup Challenge.

Open the application form and review the requirements.

Complete the application with accurate information about your business.

Submit the application before the deadline.

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Call For Applications: TBH MSME PITCH-A-TON 1.0 Offers Up to ₦10M in Hybrid Grant and Loan Support

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria can apply for the TBH MSME PITCH-A-TON 1.0, a business support programme designed to help entrepreneurs access funding and strengthen their businesses.

The initiative is associated with The Business Hub (TBH) and Sterling Bank. It combines grant opportunities with access to business loans, giving participating entrepreneurs an opportunity to secure financial support for business growth.

Benefits of the TBH MSME PITCH-A-TON 1.0

The programme offers participating businesses access to funding opportunities and support to help them grow.

Benefits include:

Up to ₦10 million in combined grant and loan support: The programme advertises a hybrid funding package combining grant and loan support. This is not a guarantee that every applicant will receive ₦10 million.

Grant opportunities: Five grand winners will be selected for the programme’s top awards.

Access to discounted loans: Up to 50 finalists can qualify for discounted business loans, subject to the programme’s terms.

Business development support: The programme provides a platform for entrepreneurs to present their businesses and pursue opportunities to strengthen their operations.

Applicants should review the official programme information for the specific funding terms, selection criteria and conditions attached to any loan.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is intended for Nigerian MSMEs seeking funding and support to grow their businesses.

Entrepreneurs interested in applying should be prepared to provide information about their businesses, including their products or services, target customers, operations and growth plans.

Applicants should consult the official application portal to confirm the complete eligibility requirements before submitting their entries.

Programme Duration

TBH MSME PITCH-A-TON 1.0 is structured as a 12-month programme.

Entrepreneurs should review the application details to understand the programme stages, participation requirements and conditions for accessing funding.

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Call for Applications: Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026 ( Up To €6,000 Award)

The Agribusiness Facility for Africa (ABF), through its Agribusiness e-Academy, invites young and early-stage agripreneurs to participate in the Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026.

The initiative combines free, practical business training with an opportunity to compete for business growth awards. It aims to help emerging agribusiness entrepreneurs strengthen their business models, build climate resilience and improve their readiness to attract investment.

The programme is delivered by GIZ ABF with financial support from the European Union (EU) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Funding and Benefits

Eligible participants who complete the required training can compete for the following awards:

€6,000 in Business Growth Funding to support agribusiness development.

Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop for a selected participant.

Agribusiness Mentoring Programme placement to support business growth and development.

Other programme benefits include:

Free training: No course fee.

Practical learning: Approximately five hours of training.

Certification: A certificate upon assessment or participation, as applicable.

Awards are competitive and subject to assessment. Completing the courses does not guarantee funding or other prizes.

Training Modules

Participants must complete three online courses through the Agribusiness e-Academy:

Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation — Learn how to strengthen an agricultural business against climate-related risks.

Business Model Canvas — Develop and refine the business model.

Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness — Prepare the business for growth and potential investment.

The training takes approximately five hours in total and is free.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be at least 18 years old.

Reside in a member country of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

Have an agribusiness idea or enterprise focused on maize, livestock (cattle, sheep or goats), cashew or cocoa.

Complete all three required courses.

Obtain a valid certificate ID from the final course, Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.

Submit a business model explaining the proposed venture, its climate-resilience component, revenue model and estimated capital requirements.

Application Deadline

October 30, 2026.

How to Apply

Create an account or sign in to the Agribusiness e-Academy.

Complete the three mandatory courses.

Prepare your business model using the programme’s required format.

Submit your business model through the official application form before the deadline.

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Call for Applications: Prince Casper Foundation Impact Grants 2026–2027 (Up to ₦500,000 in Funding)

The Prince Casper Foundation is inviting applications for its 2026–2027 Impact Grants, an initiative designed to support community projects, grassroots ideas and promising initiatives working to create meaningful social change.

The programme offers three grant categories to support projects at different stages of development, from early-stage ideas to established initiatives seeking to expand their impact.

A total of ₦6 million in funding is available for 26 grantees across the three categories.

Available Grant Categories

• Trailblazer Grant – ₦500,000: Supports transformational projects designed to drive sustainable change.

• Catalyst Grant – ₦200,000: Helps promising initiatives grow into scalable, long-term solutions.

• Launchpad Grant – ₦100,000: Provides seed funding to help early-stage ideas move from concept to implementation.

The Foundation will award seven Trailblazer grants, six Catalyst grants and 13 Launchpad grants. Applicants cannot choose their preferred tier; the selection committee determines the award based on the project’s scope, cost, need and relevance.]

Who Can Apply?

The grant is specifically intended for educators and education-sector professionals who:

• Work in Nigeria’s primary or secondary education sector.

• Contribute directly to the learning, development or educational outcomes of children and young people.

• Serve rural, underserved or educationally disadvantaged communities.

• Can demonstrate a genuine financial need affecting their ability to improve teaching or learning outcomes.

Eligible applicants may include classroom teachers, school heads, school administrators, education programme staff, NGO workers and volunteers involved in education.

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Call For Applications: UBS Female Founder Award 2026 | Win US$10,000

Women entrepreneurs building fintech and enterprise technology startups can apply for the UBS Female Founder Award 2026, a global award recognising women founders with innovative businesses, strong leadership and growth potential.

Organised by UBS, the award gives women-led technology businesses an opportunity to gain international recognition, connect with investors and access mentorship and business growth support.

The overall winner will receive US$10,000, while a special Rising Star award will recognise another founder. All finalists will have the opportunity to join Project Female Founder, a year-long investor readiness, networking and mentorship programme.

About the UBS Female Founder Award

The UBS Female Founder Award is an annual global recognition programme for women entrepreneurs in the technology sector. The 2026 edition is its sixth year.

The award focuses on early-stage startups in two areas: financial technology (fintech) and enterprise technology. It aims to highlight women-led businesses with scalable models and the potential to attract investment.

Beyond the cash prize, the programme connects finalists with UBS advisers, experienced entrepreneurs, venture capital firms and other members of the global business community.

Who Can Apply?

The award is designed for women founders leading early-stage technology businesses in fintech or enterprise technology.

Interested applicants should demonstrate:

Female founder leadership: You must be a woman founder of the business.

Technology focus: Your startup must operate in fintech or enterprise technology.

Innovation: Your business should offer a distinct solution to a market problem.

Growth potential: You should have a scalable business model with room to expand.

Leadership: You should demonstrate the ability to lead the company and execute its plans.

Business performance: Your application should explain the company’s financial track record and potential for future growth.

Applicants should consult the official award rules for the full eligibility requirements before submitting. The programme is global, but specific rules may apply depending on the applicant’s location.

Which Businesses Are Eligible?

The award focuses on two categories of technology businesses.

1. Financial Technology (Fintech)

This category includes startups using technology to improve financial services and products.

Examples may include digital payments, financial infrastructure, digital banking, financial data tools and other technology-driven financial solutions.

2. Enterprise Technology

This category covers technology solutions that help businesses improve their operations, productivity, infrastructure or decision-making.

Examples may include enterprise software, data analytics, artificial intelligence applications and business technology platforms.

Applicants should show how their solutions address a clear business need and how the company can grow its customer base or market reach.

What Will Selected Founders Receive?

US$10,000 Cash Prize

The overall winner will receive US$10,000 to support her entrepreneurial journey. UBS will also recognise a Rising Star through a special award.

Project Female Founder

All finalists will have the opportunity to join Project Female Founder, a year-long programme designed to strengthen investor readiness and expand founders’ professional networks.

Mentorship and Investor Access

Finalists can receive mentoring from UBS advisers and gain access to female-focused venture capital firms, investors and experienced entrepreneurs.

Global Visibility

The award provides opportunities for publicity, speaking engagements and international recognition. This exposure can help founders introduce their businesses to potential investors, partners and new markets.

Business Growth Support

Through Project Female Founder, participants can work on investor readiness and pitching, connect with other entrepreneurs and access a wider support network. The programme also includes access to the Coralus network through its partners.

How Will Applications Be Assessed?

UBS identifies four main considerations in the award’s selection process:

Diversity: The contribution the founder and business bring to the technology ecosystem.

Financial track record: The company’s financial performance and business progress.

Growth potential: The ability to scale the business and attract investment.

Leadership: The founder’s leadership capabilities and vision for the company.

Applicants should present a clear account of their business model, the problem it solves, its progress so far and its plans for growth.

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Call for Applications: Federal Government ₦50,000 Conditional Grant Scheme via SMEDAN

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is offering a ₦50,000 conditional grant to eligible nano businesses to support business operations, equipment purchases and job creation.

The Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) is a government initiative designed to strengthen small businesses at the grassroots level by providing financial support to help them improve productivity and sustain their operations.

Grant Details

Programme: Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS)

Implementing Agency: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)

Grant Amount: ₦50,000

Funding Type: Conditional, non-repayable grant

Location: Nigeria

Target Beneficiaries: Nano businesses operating at the Local Government Area level

Application Deadline: Not specified on the official programme page.

About the Conditional Grant Scheme

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to nano businesses to support their workforce and enable them to procure necessary equipment.

According to SMEDAN, the grant is intended to encourage grassroots enterprise development, improve business performance and create employment opportunities across communities.

SMEDAN

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What Are the Benefits?

Successful beneficiaries may receive:

₦50,000 in grant support.

Financial assistance for business operations.

Support for purchasing equipment needed by the business.

An opportunity to improve business productivity and competitiveness.

Support for workforce expansion and job creation.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is designed for nano businesses operating at the Local Government Area level.

Interested business owners should be prepared to provide accurate personal and business information and meet the programme’s applicable requirements.

Important Condition

The grant comes with a job-creation requirement. Beneficiaries are expected to employ at least one additional person as a condition of receiving the ₦50,000 support.

SMEDAN

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