GCBSI 2.0: Nigerian Creatives Can Apply for Up to ₦1.5 Million
Nigerian Creative Businesses Can Apply for Grants of Up to ₦1.5 Million Through GCBSI 2.0
Nigerian creative entrepreneurs have another funding opportunity to consider as the Fegho Umunubo Foundation opens the second edition of its Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative (GCBSI).
The program offers selected creative businesses grants ranging from ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million, alongside business training and practical support designed to help them improve operations and build sustainable ventures.
Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 November 2026.
What is GCBSI 2.0?
The Grassroots Creative Business Support Initiative is designed to support creative entrepreneurs who need more than visibility to grow their businesses. The initiative combines financial assistance with training and practical guidance to help businesses strengthen their systems, reach more customers and manage their operations more effectively.
The second edition builds on the program’s first cycle, which supported 22 businesses with grants ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million in February 2026.
The expanded funding range reflects a continued focus on businesses operating across Nigeria’s creative economy.
Who can apply?
The program covers a broad range of creative businesses, including:
Film, media and entertainment
Fashion, clothing and textiles
Fashion accessories and handmade products
Furniture and interior-related creative businesses
Beauty and personal styling
Arts, crafts and creative design
Photography, printing and visual branding
Videography
Food, baking and creative confectionery
Home fragrance and related creative products
Applicants should review the foundation’s full eligibility criteria before applying. Being active in a creative field does not automatically guarantee eligibility or selection.
What does the program offer?
Successful applicants can receive between ₦1 million and ₦1.5 million in grant support. The program also includes training in areas such as marketing, bookkeeping, pricing and financial literacy.
This combination matters because funding alone does not necessarily solve the problems that hold small businesses back. A business may need better pricing, clearer records, more effective marketing or stronger customer-management processes to turn additional capital into sustainable growth.
For creative entrepreneurs, the opportunity is therefore not just to secure funding but to demonstrate how the business could use support to improve its operations and long-term prospects.
How to apply for GCBSI 2.0
The published application instructions ask interested entrepreneurs to:
Record a one-minute video introducing their business and explaining why they need the grant.
Share the video on Instagram using the hashtag #GCBSI.
Visit @feghox or @thefeghoumunubofoundation on Instagram to access the application form through the link in bio.
Review the application requirements and submit before the deadline.
Application deadline: 1 November 2026.
Applicants should use the foundation’s official channels to confirm the current form, complete requirements and any applicable terms and conditions.
What should applicants prepare?
A short application video is an opportunity to communicate the business clearly. Instead of focusing only on how difficult it has been to access funding, applicants should explain what the business does, whom it serves and what it needs to improve.
It may help to prepare a concise explanation of:
The products or services the business offers
Its current customers and market
The main challenge limiting growth
How the grant could be used
The expected improvement in sales, capacity, operations or employment
Any figures or projections should be realistic and consistent with the business’s actual situation.
A funding opportunity for businesses, not just ideas
GCBSI 2.0 is aimed at creative enterprise across multiple sectors, from fashion and visual branding to food businesses and handmade products. For eligible entrepreneurs, the combination of grant funding and business training could provide practical support at a critical stage of growth.
With the deadline approaching, interested applicants should verify the details and submit their applications promptly.
