By Abiola Olawale
The banks of the Matan Fada River erupted in celebration on Saturday as the 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival officially kicked off, marked by the catch of a 59kg Nile Perch.
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare. who
This year’s festival marks a triumphant return for the UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage event, drawing an estimated 40,000 fishermen and thousands of international tourists to the heart of Kebbi State.
The 59kg catch, while not the record of 78kg set in 2020, represents a significant success for the opening day of the 2026 competition.
”61st Argungu fishing festival, biggest fish caught 59Kg,” Dare shared via social media, highlighting the impressive scale of this year’s competition.
It was gathered that Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State emerged overall winner with a 59kg catch.
Abdullahi Garba from Argungu placed second with a 40kg fish, while third position was jointly claimed by Nasir Garba and another contestant, who each landed a 33kg catch.
Attending the ceremony, President Bola Tinubu praised the festival as a “powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence.”
Announcing the results, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor said the overall winner would receive “two Toyota vehicles donated by the Sokoto State Government, bags of WACOT rice, and a cash prize of ₦1 million.
“The second-place winner received a car, a Hajj slot, and ₦1 million, while the joint third-place winners were awarded two motorcycles each and ₦750,000.”
The President emphasized that the successful hosting of the event is a testament to the improved security situation in the region, which has allowed cultural tourism to flourish once again.
Before arriving at the fishing arena, the President commissioned the new State Secretariat and the upgraded Central Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi, signaling a broader commitment to infrastructure and regional development.
