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Excited by 10,000 guests for CANEX Weekend 2026 in Lagos
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government is working on the 2027 budget and intends to present it before the end of 2026, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has said.
Uzoka-Anite disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Responding to a question on the timeline for the budget, the minister said: “And the intention is to present it before the end of the year.”
The minister also announced that the council approved the revised National Policy on Food and Nutrition in Nigeria 2026 and the National Nutrition Bill 2026.
She said the two documents were developed through collaboration among the Office of the Vice President, the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Agriculture, Livestock, Education and Health, as well as the private sector, the National Assembly and development partners.
According to her, the documents provide a framework for the coordination and implementation of food and nutrition programmes across the country, while promoting sustainable funding and accountability.
Uzoka-Anite said the measures were designed to improve the health and well-being of Nigerians, particularly by reducing childhood stunting.
She added that the National Nutrition Bill 2026, an executive bill, would be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
The minister also congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the successful hosting of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja from October 26 to 28.
She said the summit provided an opportunity to present the National Development Plan 2026–2030, which she said was well received and endorsed by the private sector.
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According to her, the plan provides a framework for transforming the economy through job creation, increased productivity and shared prosperity.
Meanwhile, the government has expressed excitement as it targets about 10,000 guests for the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Weekend 2026, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 5 to 8, as part of efforts to promote Nigeria’s creative economy and expand non-oil exports.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this during the briefing.
Oduwole said the event would bring together stakeholders across the creative industry, including fashion, film, gastronomy, performing arts and technology, providing opportunities for networking, investment and business deals.
“In November of 2024, Mr President approved that Nigeria bid for the Intra-African Trade Fair, which is the largest trade fair in Africa,” she said.
She explained that Nigeria was preparing to host both CANEX Weekend 2026 and the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027.
According to the minister, CANEX provides a platform to showcase the creative economy across several sectors, including food, fashion, film, performing arts and technological innovation.
She said the initiative aligned with Tinubu’s emphasis on the competitive advantage of Nigerian youths and the need to harness their talents to drive economic growth.
“It’s an opportunity to connect; it’s an opportunity to do deals,” Oduwole said.
The minister added that the event would support the Federal Government’s renewed focus on non-oil exports and efforts to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand trade across the continent.
She invited Nigerians and international participants to attend the event in Lagos from November 5 to 8, 2026, while the Intra-African Trade Fair is scheduled for November 5 to 11, 2027.
