The University of Lagos (UNILAG) recorded an outstanding performance at the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG) Bootcamp and Grand Finale, emerging as the institution with the highest number of awardees at the end of the competitive programme.
The S-VCG Bootcamp, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, is a national innovation programme designed to identify, refine and support student-led startups across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The four-day intensive programme brought together 65 selected finalists from across the country for structured pitch development, mentorship and final evaluation leading to funding support.
The University of Lagos delegation featured 10 student finalists drawn from diverse disciplines and entrepreneurial backgrounds. 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 UNILAG participants included:
- Ted Bankong (Geoscience, 400 Level) – Rewear
- Divine Favour Ajie (Pharmacy, 500 Level) – StocMed
- Umar-Faruq Adeshina (Computer Engineering, 400 Level) – Wekoya
- Oluwatosin Adeyemo (Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 400 Level) – Oju Systems
- Ekundayo David (Pharmacy, 300 Level) – Run-It Global Innovations
- Victor Olubukola (Mathematics, 300 Level) – CampusShelf
- Sheriffdeen Ademoye (Pharmacy, 400 Level) – Quadstores
- Daniel Ebabhi (Computer Engineering, 400 Level) – Fladov
- Boluwatife Odueke (Computer Engineering, 400 Level) – Jarvis
At the conclusion of the bootcamp, 45 winners were selected from the 65 national finalists. Impressively, eight of the 10 UNILAG representatives emerged as grant awardees, positioning the University as the top-performing institution in the national competition.
The programme culminated in a Grand Finale and Award Ceremony held on March 29, 2026, attended by key government officials and stakeholders within Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, delivered the keynote address, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary institutions as engines of innovation and entrepreneurship under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the critical role of digital innovation in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the resilience and creativity demonstrated by the student finalists throughout the programme.
Other notable contributors included Senator Muntari Dandutse, representing Katsina South Senatorial District, and Ms. Elsie Attafuah, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria. Both speakers emphasized the importance of sustained investment in youth-led innovation.
A major highlight of the finale was the Spotlight Presentation Session, where UNILAG’s Samuel Olamilekan Johnson was selected as one of only three finalists nationwide to present his venture before the high-level dignitaries and audience.
UNILAG’s strong performance at the S-VCG Bootcamp underscores the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation-driven talent and strengthening entrepreneurship education.
The achievement further reinforces the University’s growing reputation as a leading hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and startup development within Nigeria’s tertiary education ecosystem, while positioning UNILAG as a key contributor to the country’s evolving innovation landscape.
