The historic Argungu International Fishing Festival made its triumphant return to Nigeria’s northwest region on Saturday, drawing thousands of participants and spectators to the Matan Fadan river—a UNESCO heritage site renowned for its ecological significance. President Bola Tinubu attended as the guest of honor, witnessing fishermen employ traditional angling methods including hand-woven nets, calabash gourds, and barehanded techniques in the milky waters that wind through Kebbi state’s lush vegetation.
The competition culminated with one fisherman landing a massive croaker fish weighing 59 kilograms (130 pounds), securing the top cash prize while other participants gained economic benefits through selling their catches. The event served as both cultural preservation and economic stimulus for the local community.
This year’s festival occurred against a backdrop of persistent security concerns that have plagued northern Nigeria for years. While President Tinubu hailed the event as evidence of returning stability, local officials acknowledged attendance has been impacted by safety apprehensions. The river, maintained throughout the year by the traditionally titled Sarkin Ruwa (water chief), remains closed to fishing except during this annual celebration.
The festival dates to 1934, originating as a peace symbol following the resolution of nearly a century of hostilities between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Argungu emirate. After being paused in 2010 due to infrastructural issues and security challenges, and again following its 2020 revival, this year’s return has been celebrated as a restoration of cultural pride and communal unity despite ongoing security complications affecting Nigeria’s northern regions.