FG to present 2027 budget before year end

Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, says the federal government is working on the 2027 budget and intends to present it before the end of 2026.

Uzoka-Anite spoke on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“The intention is to present it before the end of the year,” she said when asked about the timeline for the budget.

The minister also announced that the council approved the revised 2026 national policy on food and nutrition in Nigeria and the National Nutrition Bill 2026.

She said the 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 Uzoka-Anite, the documents provide a framework for coordinating and implementing food and nutrition programmes nationwide, while promoting sustainable funding and accountability.

The minister said the measures aim to improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerians by reducing childhood stunting.

She said the nutrition bill, an executive bill, would be forwarded to the national assembly for consideration.

FG TARGETS 10,000 GUESTS AT CANEX

Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade, and investment, said the government is targeting about 10,000 guests for the creative Africa nexus (CANEX) weekend 2026, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 5 to November 8.

Oduwole said the event would bring together stakeholders across the creative industry, including fashion, film, gastronomy, performing arts, and technology, to create 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 said Nigeria is 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 Nigeria’s creative economy, including food, fashion, film, performing arts, and technological innovation.

She said the initiative aligns 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.