The Federal Government is preparing the 2027 national budget for presentation before the end of 2026, 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 in Abuja.

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

The minister also announced the council’s approval of 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, alongside the private sector, the National Assembly and development partners.

According to her, the policy and bill would provide a framework for coordinating food and nutrition programmes nationwide, while promoting sustainable funding and accountability.

She added that the measures aim to improve Nigerians’ health and wellbeing by reducing childhood stunting. The National Nutrition Bill, an executive bill, will be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, announced that the Federal 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 promote networking, investment and business opportunities.

“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 CANEX Weekend 2026 and the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027.

According to the minister, CANEX would showcase the country’s creative economy, including its food, fashion, film, performing arts and technological innovation.

Oduwole said the initiative aligns with President Bola 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,” she said.

She 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.