If you run a fashion label, a bakery, a photo studio or a handmade products brand in Nigeria, this one is written for you. The Fegho Umunubo Foundation has opened the second round of its Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative, and the grants run from ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million.
Money is only half of it. Winners also get hands-on training in the boring-but-vital parts of business, like pricing and bookkeeping. Applications close on November 1, 2026, so the clock is already running.
About the Programme
The Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative, or GCBSI, is run by the Fegho Umunubo Foundation. This is the second cohort, which is why you will see it called GCBSI 2.0.
The first edition ran in February 2026 and backed 22 businesses with grants between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million. This time the ceiling has gone up to ₦1.5 million, which tells you the foundation is doubling down on what worked.
Benefits
Selected businesses receive a cash grant of ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million. For a small creative business, that can buy a good sewing machine, a camera lens, an oven or a stock of raw materials in one go.
You also get training in marketing, bookkeeping, pricing and financial literacy. Plenty of creatives make beautiful products and still lose money because they price by feeling. This part of the package fixes that.
Beyond that, the foundation offers support to tighten operations and reach more customers. The article source does not say how many grants will be awarded this round, so apply early and apply well.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a creative entrepreneur or business operating in Nigeria.
- Media, film and entertainment businesses qualify.
- Fashion, clothing, textiles and accessories businesses qualify.
- Handmade products, arts and crafts qualify.
- Furniture, interior and creative design businesses qualify.
- Beauty and personal styling businesses qualify.
- Photography, videography, printing and visual branding businesses qualify.
- Food production, baking and creative confectionery businesses qualify.
- Home fragrance businesses qualify.
Documents Needed to Apply
- Your full name, phone number and email address.
- Your business name and state of operation.
- Your CAC registration number.
- How long the business has been running.
- A one-minute video introducing your business and why you need the grant, posted on Instagram with the hashtag #GCBSI.
The form asks for a CAC number, so an unregistered business will hit a wall fast. If you have been trading informally, sort that out before November 1 with our business registration services. Then record your video in daylight, show your actual products, and keep it under a minute.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative (GCBSI 2.0) 2026
Organizer: Fegho Umunubo Foundation
Eligible location: Creative entrepreneurs and businesses in Nigeria
Funding available: Grants of ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million, plus business training and support
Application deadline: November 1, 2026
How to Apply
- Confirm your business falls under one of the listed creative sectors.
- Have your CAC number and business start date ready.
- Film your one-minute video explaining your business and why the grant matters, then post it on Instagram with #GCBSI.
- Fill out the official GCBSI 2.0 application form before November 1, 2026.
You can read the original announcement on MSME Africa. Do not wait for the last weekend. Google Forms and Instagram uploads both love to misbehave when everyone rushes at once.
Final Thoughts
A ₦1.5 million grant will not build a factory, but it can move a small creative brand from struggling to steady. The training may end up being worth as much as the cash.
Looking for more funding to chase? Browse our list of latest opportunities for the month and apply to as many as you qualify for.