A fisherman from Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Abubakar Usman, has claimed the top prize at the 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing Festival after landing a massive 59-kilogram fish during the main competition.
Gatekeepers News reports that the feat, recorded on Saturday at the Matan Fada River in Argungu, was announced by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, in a social media post. The impressive catch stood out among hundreds of entries, earning Usman first position at the globally celebrated cultural event.
Abdullahi Garba, representing Argungu, secured second place with a 40kg fish, while Nasir Garba and another contestant finished joint third after each caught 33kg fish. Organisers confirmed that the overall winner would receive two vehicles, a cash prize of ₦1 million, and other valuable gifts, while those who placed second and third would also go home with substantial cash rewards and material items.
The annual festival, which attracts thousands of spectators, tourists, and participants from within and outside Nigeria, remains one of the country’s most iconic cultural celebrations. Established in 1934, the event was originally created to commemorate the peace agreement between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom and has since grown into a major platform for cultural preservation and tourism promotion.
Beyond the fishing contest, this year’s programme featured a wide range of traditional activities, including wrestling, indigenous dances, music performances, boat regattas, and exhibitions of local crafts and cuisine, offering visitors a rich cultural experience.
President Bola Tinubu officially declared the festival open during his visit to Kebbi State, where he also commissioned several development projects in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi.
Argungu festival continues to serve as a powerful symbol of unity, heritage, and economic opportunity in northern Nigeria, drawing national attention and international interest each year.
