President Bola Tinubu hails the 61st edition of Argungu fish festival as a symbol of peace and unity on its return after a 6-year-hiatus.
By Blue Africa News
Fisherman Abubakar Usman beamed with swagger befitting a champion after emerging winner of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival in Kebbi State, Nigeria, the competition marking the much-awaited return after a 6-year-hiatus caused by the unfortunate combination of insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inaugurated in 1934, Argungu is one of the biggest cultural festivals in West Africa, bringing together thousands of fishermen from Nigeria, and the neighbouring Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Togo to compete on Matan Fada river, with eyes trained on emerging winner by managing the biggest catch during the four-day competition, which witnesses dancing and wrestling competitions tucked in between.
According to local press, the festival was first staged by the then traditional ruler of Argungu, Muhammad Sama to mark an end to a century-old history of hostility and distrust between his people and the region’s most powerful ruler, the then Sultan of Sokoto, Hassan Dan-Mu’azu.
Listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the festival is considered a symbol of unity in Nigeria and beyond.
It ran continuously for decades until 2010, when infrastructure problems and growing northern Nigerian insecurity forced its suspension. It briefly resumed in 2020 before taking a break again until this year for the 61st edition.
This year’s event was held from February 11 and ran to February 14, with local fisherman Abubakar Usman mesmerizing the home crowd after emerging from the Matan Fada river waters with a 59-kilogram catch, drawing cheers and celebration from locals and visitors from within and without, present.
Once out of the water with their catches, judges were on standby to receive the fish and subject them to weighing scales, before Usman was declared winner.
For his troubles in the water, Usman clinched a prize of two brand new cars and ₦1 million (approximately US$740) in cash from the organisers. Other fishermen with smaller catches did not go home empty handed, as their fish found a ready market in makeshift markets set up near the river, with the event hailed for serving culture, tourism, sports and business on a single plate.
Tellingly, the Matan Fada river has been closed up from fishing activities by the local administration for the rest of the year to allow fish stocks to grow, a signal towards marine conservation.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the event’s special chief guest said he was glad to witness what he termed as “more than a festival.”
“This event is a testament to people now reclaiming their peace,” he said as reported by TRT Afrika. “This festival is very important in boosting culture, tourism, agriculture and commerce.”
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera agreed with the President, adding that hosting the festival this year was a symbolic victory of “peace, culture and heritage.”
Further afield in Kenya, the County Government of Kisumu hosts the fish fiesta during Easter Holidays since 2023 to promote culture and tourism, and champion environmental conservation of Lake Victoria.
“It will not be a mere event but a testament to our collective commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment,” said Kisumu governor, Anyang’ Nyong’o as quoted by the Kenya News Agency, ahead of the 2024 event at Hippo Point, in Kisumu, along the shores of Lake Victoria, a fresh water resource shared between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
“From production to processing, marketing to consumption, every aspect of the fish value chain plays a vital role in tourism development for our visitors, furthermore, in sustaining livelihoods and driving economic growth.”
The event is always marked with a host of activities such as boat racing, Miss Tourism and Mr. Tourism, tug of war, photo competition, beach volleyball, entertainment, kids fun fair, exhibitions and medical camps.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News