Nigeria’s Argungu fishing contest returns after years of pause

Al JazeeraEN 2 min read 100% complete by By AFP, AP and ReutersFebruary 15, 2026 at 09:40 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Nigeria's Argungu International Fishing Festival, a UNESCO heritage event, returned in Kebbi State after years of suspension due to insecurity and infrastructure issues. The festival, which originated in 1934 as a symbol of peace, features thousands of fishermen competing using traditional methods to catch the largest fish in the Matan Fadan river. This year's winner caught a 59kg croaker, receiving a cash prize, while others sold their catches, boosting the local economy. President Bola Tinubu attended the event, which also included cultural displays. While the festival's return is seen as a sign of stability, security concerns continue to affect attendance.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 30% Burkina Faso 30% Aliyu Muhammadu 40% Hussein Mukwashe 40% Sokoto Caliphate 50% Bola Tinubu ×260% Argungu ×360% Matan Fada river ×270% Kebbi State ×270% Nigeria ×480% Argungu International Fishing Festival ×290%

Keywords

fishing festival 100% argungu 90% traditional fishing 80% nigeria 80% local economy 70% matan fada river 70% cultural heritage 60% security concerns 60% sarkin ruwa 50% cultural displays 40%