Over 50,000 Fishermen Begin Argungu Festival Contest Before President Arrives

A Nigerian fishing festival returns to the joy of the community, despite setbacks

Thousands of fishermen have descended on the Matan Fadan river, a UNESCO heritage site that snakes through lush vegetation in the village of Argungu in Nigeria’s northwest.

Argungu Festival: Eager fishermen jump into river before President arrives

More than 50,000 fishermen surged into the Matan Fada River in Argungu on Saturday, hours before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was expected at the grand finale of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival. The excited fishermen, dressed in traditional attire and carrying nets and calabashes, entered the river ahead of the official start of the competition. Their early rush disrupted the planned ceremony, as organisers had antici…

Historic Argungu Fishing Festival Returns After Six-Year Hiatus

Ghazali Ibrahim The 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was held this weekend, marking a celebrated return of the iconic event after it had not taken place for six years due to insecurity and other challenges. The festival was last staged in 2020 before a prolonged pause that kept it off the calendar until this year’s revival. PC: Dewunmilagos The annual celebration, held on the banks of the UNESCO-listed Matan Fada River, s…

Argungu Festival Showcases Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage – President Tinubu - Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience and peaceful coexistence that projects the country’s cultural heritage in a positive light to the rest of the world. Speaking at the grand finale of the festival in Argungu, Kebbi State, the President said the annual celebration not only showcases the people’s cultural heritage but also highlights …