The National Association of Nigerian Students has opened applications for NANSInnovate 2026, its national innovation and entrepreneurship competition designed to connect student entrepreneurs with investors, industry experts and funding opportunities.

The NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, announced the opening of applications on Monday, calling on students across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide to register for the programme.

"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," Afeez said.

The competition is open to Nigerian citizens currently enrolled in any recognised tertiary institution across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Applicants must have either an existing business or a business idea they intend to develop. A valid student identity card and a business proposal in Microsoft Word format of not more than 10 pages are required for entry.

"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," Afeez added.

The programme will run for one week and will include learning sessions, mentorship opportunities and a national pitch competition. Participants will interact with investors, business leaders and fellow student entrepreneurs, with one on one mentorship forming part of the schedule.

The top 20 finalists will compete for cash prizes worth millions of naira to support and expand their businesses. Applicants are also required to submit a 100 word pitch explaining their business concept, its relevance and how they intend to utilise the funding.

NANS confirmed that the application process is entirely free and warned students against making payments to anyone in connection with the programme, describing any such request as a scam.

"The next great Nigerian business could begin here, and the next successful entrepreneur could be you," Afeez stated.

Interested students can submit applications through the NANS innovation portal at grants.nanshq.org.