Argungu Festival: Eager fishermen jump into river before President arrives
Over 50,000 Fishermen Enter Matan Fada River Ahead of Argungu Festival Finale
ARGUNGU, Nigeria — More than 50,000 fishermen flocked to the Matan Fada River on Saturday, hours before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.
Participants, dressed in traditional clothing and carrying nets and calabashes, entered the river prior to the official start of the competition, leading to some disruption in the planned festivities. Organizers had expected to commence the fishing contest after the arrival of the President and other dignitaries.
Reports indicate that some competitors had been waiting at their designated areas since 5 a.m., eager for the event to begin. By 12:45 p.m., neither President Tinubu nor Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris had arrived at the riverbank for the closing ceremony.
According to the official schedule, the grand fishing contest and subsequent prize distribution were intended to take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, security personnel and festival organizers were unable to prevent the fishermen from starting the competition ahead of the arrival of the invited guests.
Despite the absence of the President and other high-profile attendees, the traditional fishing contest continued, drawing thousands of spectators to the riverbank.
This year’s festival, now in its 61st edition, has attracted participants and tourists from across Nigeria and neighboring countries, reinforcing its reputation as one of Africa’s leading cultural tourism events. Senior government officials, diplomats, traditional rulers, and business leaders were among those expected to attend.
