By Daniel Kudayah
The Federal Government has announced plans to use the Creative Africa Nexus, CANEX Weekend 2026, to expand Nigeria’s creative industry, attract foreign investment and create more jobs.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said the government was working to improve funding, intellectual property and market access for creative businesses in Nigeria.
According to her, CANEX 2026, scheduled to hold from November 5 to 8 in Lagos, would bring together Nigerian creators and businesses with investors, financiers, technology companies, distributors and international markets.
Oduwole said the creative industry was important to the government’s plan to build a $1 trillion economy.
She said Nigeria had already made a name for itself through its music, films, fashion and other creative works but needed to gain more economic value from the sector.
She said, “For the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all states of the Federation, CANEX is much more than a celebration of African creativity. It is a platform for trade, investment, enterprise and market access.”
The minister said the event would focus on music, film, fashion, gastronomy, literature, visual arts, sports and technology.
She added that there would also be sessions on investment, financing, business development and access to international markets.
Oduwole said the event required the involvement of different government agencies because the creative economy covered several areas.
“It is literally like hosting the Olympics or the World Cup. The creative economy does not sit within one ministry or one institution,” she said.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is working with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies, as well as the Lagos State Government, for the event.
About 10,000 participants from Nigeria, other African countries and beyond are expected to attend.
Oduwole said all 36 states would also have the opportunity to showcase their products, businesses, culture and investment opportunities at the event.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government said it had started preparations for the expected number of visitors.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Tudioni Bandu, said the state was improving infrastructure around the venue and had mobilised relevant agencies for the event.
On health preparations, Dr Olumide Shojiri, who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said disease surveillance and emergency response plans had been put in place.
He said additional health workers would be deployed and trained, while medical facilities around the venue and accommodation areas would be prepared to handle emergencies.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency would also deploy ambulances to strategic locations, while first-aid stations would be provided at the venue.
The state Ministry of Transportation is also preparing a traffic plan, including traffic advisories, diversions and alternative routes to reduce congestion during the event.
The Federal Government urged Nigerian creative businesses to use CANEX 2026 to showcase their products, meet international partners and explore new markets.
The event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the construction of the National Theatre, which was built ahead of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC ’77.
Oduwole said CANEX 2026 and Nigeria’s planned hosting of the Intra-African Trade Fair would support the country’s efforts to attract more trade, investment and business opportunities.
She invited investors and creative-industry stakeholders from Africa and other parts of the world to attend the event.
“Our invitation today is clear: come to Lagos from November 5 to 8. Come ready to connect, to invest, to trade and to do business. Nigeria is ready to welcome Africa and the world,” she said.
