I know you must have seen several posts on different platforms talking about government grants, small business grants, and many other free grants. And probably, the ones you have tried haven’t worked for you. Now, you are no longer interested in them.
I understand that perfectly well. But still, I can assure you that the fact that the ones you have tried didn’t work for you does not mean this wouldn’t work for you.
Last year, a friend recommended an international business grant to me, I didn’t take it seriously until I visited him again after several weeks, and while we were talking, he asked if I applied for the grant, to which I said no, then he showed me an email from his brother who got the same grant, it was a $2,000 grant.
Imagine what $2,000 would have done for me. At that time, a dollar was #1,600. If you multiply 2000 by 1600, you will get #3,200,000. That is 3.2 million Naria that I missed because I was being a doubting Thomas.
Just like I did in the past, you have every reason to doubt any grant you see online, but here is the thing.
The free grants I will tell you about here don’t require an application fee. In addition, you won’t be asked to complete any task; you only apply if you qualify.
So, you have nothing to lose. If you apply, you stand a chance to get it, if you don’t, you lose out totally.
In Nigeria, many people are looking for financial help to start a business, go back to school, or support their families.
You can use this free grant money to support your family, start a business or complete whatever project you are currently doing.
Some grants pay up to #1,000,000 per person, while the internationally sponsored ones pay in Dollars ($$).
Once again, these free grants are available, and you don’t have to pay them back. Unlike loans, grants are given to you for free if you qualify for them.
What are these Free Grants?
These free grants are money given by international organisations, the government, non-profits, or private organisations to help families or businesses grow, learn, or survive.
This money is not a loan, so you don’t need to pay it back, as long as you use it for the right purpose.
You can use the grant to:
- Start a small business
- Help your family
- Pay school fees or attend training
- Do farming or agribusiness
- Take care of your family/children.
Whatever you want to use the money for, it’s entirely up to you. Nobody will question you on that one.
For example, let’s assume you want to start a foodstuff business in Owerri but don’t have the capital.
You apply for one of the free grants to start a business offered by the Bank of Industry and receive ₦800,000.
You can use the money to buy a freezer and stock up your shop.
Who can apply for these free Grants?
These free grants are available for many groups. You just need to find the one that fits your situation.
Here is who can apply for them:
- Young Entrepreneurs – You can apply for youth business funding.
- Market Men and Women – Many grants support all of these market men and women who own businesses.
- Students – There are grants for university fees, vocational training, or studying abroad.
- Farmers – We have grants that are available for those who want to start a farming business. You can use the money to buy seeds, tools, and farming materials.
- Low-income families – If you’re from a low-income family, you can apply for some of the grants we will discuss here.
Instructions you must follow when applying for these free grants
Before you start applying for any of these grants, please read these instructions carefully. These are things you must keep in mind.
- Read the guidelines of the grant carefully: This is very important. Before you apply for any grant, you must read all the instructions and eligibility requirements. Each grant has its purpose, and if you don’t qualify, your application will be rejected immediately.
Example: If a grant is for women under 35 and you’re a 40-year-old man, don’t apply – you’ll be wasting time.
- You should only apply for grants that you qualify for: Don’t just apply for “any” grant. Look for the ones that fit your specific situation (like youth grants, business startup grants, women empowerment grants, etc.).
- Make sure you attach all required documents for the grant: Some grants will require you to submit documents like:
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- Valid ID (NIN, Voter’s card, or Passport)
- Business registration (CAC) if you have one
- Bank account details
- Business plan or proposal
- Passport photograph
- Phone number and email
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If any document is required as part of the application for a grant, and you don’t submit it, your application will not be considered for the grant.
- Tell the truth – Don’t lie on your application: If you lie in any grant application, your application will be rejected outright. In some grants, you will be blacklisted from future programs.
Example: If you are applying for a business grant and you say your business is already registered when it’s not, they will check it through CAC records and know that you lied.
- Use a working Phone Number and Email Address: After applying for a grant, they might call or email you for the next steps. If your number is not reachable or your email doesn’t work, you’ll miss your chance.
Important: Avoid using an email like “fineboi4u@gmail.com.” Create a professional one, like “josephenterprises@gmail.com.”
- Make sure there is no mistake in your application: Always check your application and make sure that everything is correct before you submit it. One wrong digit in your account number or a typo in your email can ruin everything.
List of free grants that you can apply for currently in Nigeria?
Here are reliable places to check for real grant opportunities:
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Government Agencies
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- SMEDAN – Supports small businesses. smedan.gov.ng
- Bank of Industry (BOI) – Offers loans and grants. boi.ng
- YouWin Connect – Youth-focused funding. (Check updates via FMYSD or NDE)
- NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) – Often lists AGSMEIS and COVID-19 grants. nmfb.com.ng
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Private Foundations and NGOs
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- Tony Elumelu Foundation – $5,000 grant for African entrepreneurs. tefconnect.com
- LSETF (for Lagos residents) – Funds for Lagos-based entrepreneurs. lsetf.ng
- MTN Foundation – Offers skill acquisition and community grants. foundation.mtnonline.com
- United Nations or Global Funds – Many UN programs support women, health, education, and startups.
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How to Apply for Free Grants in Nigeria
Let’s break it down into simple steps:
Step 1: Know what you want
Decide what you will use the grant money to do. As I already said, what to do with the money is your choice to make, however, you have to make this choice before you apply so you can apply for a free grant that aligns with your choice:
Deciding on your needs will help you find the right grant.
Step 2: Find suitable grants
We have shared a few grants here, but many others aren’t getting the attention they need, and people are not applying for them.
Some of these grants are internationally sponsored. You can do a little search for grants that match your age, gender, or type of business.
For example:
- “Grants for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria”
- “Grants for students”
- “Grants for cassava farming in Nigeria”
Step 3: Read all the requirements
Before you apply for any grant, kindly check the requirements of the grant, like:
- Who is eligible?
- Is it for individuals or registered businesses?
- Is a proposal or CAC document needed?
Step 4: Prepare what you need to apply for the grant
To apply for some grants, you will need:
- A proposal
- Valid ID (NIN, Voter’s Card, or International Passport)
- Bank account
- CAC certificate (for business grants)
- Passport photo
Step 5: Apply
Once you get everything you need for the grant, then apply. When applying, follow the grant guidelines.
Don’t rush. Don’t lie or copy someone else’s information.
Common mistakes to avoid when applying for grants
- Don’t apply for grants you’re not qualified for.
- Don’t pay someone to guarantee you a grant — real grants are free.
- Don’t use fake documents — it can disqualify you.
- Don’t miss the deadline — apply early.
Conclusion: There is Free Money in Nigeria – If You look in the right place
There are many free grants in Nigeria, and many people are benefiting from them, however, you won’t even hear about them because people prefer to benefit without sharing the opportunity with others.
These free grants can change your life; it has changed many others, and yours won’t be different. Please, do not pay anybody any money to help you get any grant. Grants are free.
You are not required to pay or make any form of commitment. The application is free, and the benefits are huge.