The University of Lagos (UNILAG) emerged as the top-performing institution at the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp and Grand Finale after eight of its student representatives secured federal grant awards in one of Nigeria’s most competitive student innovation programmes.
The S-VCG Bootcamp, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to support student-led startups across tertiary institutions through mentorship, business development training and funding opportunities. The four-day programme brought together 65 finalists selected from universities and higher institutions across the country.
At the end of the bootcamp and final pitch evaluations, 45 participants were selected as grant beneficiaries. UNILAG recorded the highest number of awardees among participating institutions, with eight students emerging successful.
The university’s delegation featured 10 student founders drawn from different academic disciplines and startup sectors. The team was led by Samuel Olamilekan Johnson, founder of WalterSam Global Technologies Ltd and a postgraduate student of Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Management (EDIM).
Other participants from the university included Ted Bankong, founder of Rewear; Divine Favour Ajie of StocMed; Umar-Faruq Adeshina of Wekoya; Oluwatosin Adeyemo of Oju Systems; Ekundayo David of Run-It Global Innovations; Victor Olubukola of CampusShelf; Sheriffdeen Ademoye of Quadstores; Daniel Ebabhi of Fladov; and Boluwatife Odueke of Jarvis.
The startups represented sectors such as health technology, engineering, sustainability, software development and digital commerce, reflecting the growing role of student-led innovation within Nigeria’s university ecosystem.
One of the major highlights of the event was the Spotlight Presentation Session where Samuel Olamilekan Johnson was selected as one of only three finalists nationwide to present his venture before government officials, investors and stakeholders in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Grand Finale and Award Ceremony was held on March 29, 2026, with top government officials in attendance. Speaking during the event, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning tertiary institutions as drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, also stressed the importance of digital innovation in transforming Nigeria’s economy, while Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the creativity and resilience displayed by participating students.
Other dignitaries at the event included Senator Muntari Dandutse and Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria. Both speakers called for stronger investment in youth-led innovation and startup development.
UNILAG’s performance at the S-VCG Bootcamp further strengthens its growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship and innovation. The outcome also highlights the increasing role Nigerian universities are playing in developing startup founders capable of competing on national platforms and building solutions for real-world challenges.
