₦airaland Forum

61st Argungu Fishing Festival Begins with Archery, Camel Races, Wrestling and Polo Events

By Abdullahi Tukur, Birnin Kebbi | February 13, 2026

The Bureau News reports that the 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival (AIFF) has commenced with a colourful display of traditional sporting events, drawing participants and spectators from within and outside Nigeria.

The globally recognised cultural festival opened at the historic Fishing Village in Argungu, featuring archery, catapulting, camel racing, donkey racing, local wrestling and polo competitions.

Cultural Display and Sporting Excellence

Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, expressed delight as he witnessed the vibrant cultural showcase and competitive events.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, also commended the impressive turnout and organisation of the festival.

Traditional rulers led by the Emir of Argungu, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ismail Muhammad Mera, attended the ceremony alongside other Emirs from across Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic, highlighting the festival’s growing international relevance.

The event attracted tourists, cultural enthusiasts, journalists, content creators and bloggers from local, national and international media, reinforcing the festival’s status as a major global cultural destination.

Thrilling Competitions and Awards

Competitions in archery, catapulting, donkey racing and camel racing were keenly contested, with participants demonstrating exceptional skill and endurance.

Winners across various categories received trophies, cash prizes and other consolation awards.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Archery and Catapulting Sub-Committee and Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Hon. Usman Abubakar Zuru, praised the State Government for its sustained support toward the success of the festival.

He described the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as a vital platform for preserving Kebbi State’s cultural heritage, strengthening unity and peaceful coexistence, and transmitting indigenous traditions to younger generations.

Investor Forum and Nationwide Activities

Preliminary activities for the 61st edition included an Investor Forum held in Birnin Kebbi, where the state’s economic potential and investment opportunities were showcased.

A Quiz and Debate competition also took place at the Presidential Banquet Hall as part of the festival lineup.

Additional events include local wrestling and polo competitions featuring participants from across Kebbi State, other parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

In Abuja, over 30 vehicles participated in a colourful motor rally organised to herald the internationally celebrated festival.

The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival remains one of Africa’s foremost cultural events, promoting heritage preservation, tourism development, unity and economic growth.

For more updates on Nigeria News Today and cultural events, follow The Bureau News.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

More pictures from the 61st Argungu Festival in Kebbi State.

I thought this event don go extinct cos of our Muslim brothers doing their thing up north

Osiris12:
I thought this event don go extinct cos of our Muslim brothers doing their thing up north

As in ehn, me sef surprise oo

Beautiful hope all those killers no de among the crowd

With the insecurities rampaging in the North how will they promote all these beautiful cultures to the world

I first knew about Argungu fishing festival from one of our English textbooks back in Primary school. I don’t remember the name.

IYOO....


I have been to this festival. Even the calabar carnival can't beat the glamour from this festival.... You'll eat fish to the extent you'll begin to look like one. And the women.... Lemme stop here.


ONYE ANWULU!!!

Since primary school I have been hearing and reading about argungu festival .
I must attend one walai.
I'm happy I witnessed Calabar festival.
Fun!

Sheuns:
I first knew about Argungu fishing festival from one of our English textbooks back in Primary school. I don’t remember the name.

Same here.
I'd spend lengthy time looking at the pictures of the festival, growing up, I lowkey hope I'd attend the festival one day but with the current insecurity threats everywhere, I shoved off that plan indefinitely.

Beautiful,.. Nigeria suppose be one big tourism center of the whole world but no,.. we all do ourselves.

Climate change

A whole Argungu festival and no photos of human sized fishes

This festival is made up of juju.
The fishes in this river alone will scare your kidneys out.
They turned Human beings ilto fishes even the shooting competition they do it with black magic.
How can someone else use a catapult to bring down a tiny object from almost quater a kilometer?

Africa is blessed. We just have stupid leaders, and many stupid followers

Sheuns:
I first knew about Argungu fishing festival from one of our English textbooks back in Primary school. I don’t remember the name.

I think it the McMillan text book

Where are the fish?

Nigeria don cast finally.

Hope the fishing festival will be free of scandal like that year

Same here
Heardthey only fish in the river once a year, dunno if thats true
Surprised im not seeing pix of the biggest fish caught.
That used to be the highlight , but im impressed that urs waaaay more than just fishing.
A beuatiful cultural diapaly

Sheuns:
I first knew about Argungu fishing festival from one of our English textbooks back in Primary school. I don’t remember the name.

When I was in primary six, I remember learning about these exciting places including Yankari games reserve in my social studies class. I equally remember telling myself that one day I will visit these places. It's being over 32 years and I'm yet to do so. With the level insecurity in the country, I don't think that's still possible.

An Argungun fishing festival and no single fish on sight.
O dikwa egwuooo!

Argungun...
Old and very historical festival

KingRabota:
Same here
Heardthey only fish in the river once a year, dunno if thats true
Surprised im not seeing pix of the biggest fish caught.
That used to be the highlight , but im impressed that urs waaaay more than just fishing.
A beuatiful cultural diapaly

Very correct.

The highlight used to be the display of the largest catch.

I'm also surprised it's not shown.

Picture below from newspaper report of 2020.

Man with biggest catch got N10m, two cars, Hajj seats.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/381877-argungu-fishing-festival-man-with-biggest-catch-gets-n10m-two-cars-hajj-seats.html

How you go post highlights of Argungu without pictures of fishes, how?

It is like saying highlights of world cup and you no post pictures of players in action

chai how time flies, NTA wan wound us that year with Argungu fishing festival.... a very rich cultural heritage

The first time I watched this live was the one Obasanjo attended while in power. Very colourful event.

DarkJeddi:
An Argungun fishing festival and no single fish on sight.
O dikwa egwuooo!

The main fishing event is tomorrow Saturday, Feb 14th

Be like them no see fish catch oh

I remember watching this festival on NTA back then with fishermen showcasing human sized fishes caught... The fishes fishes japa too?

Kenobsky:
This festival is made up of juju.
The fishes in this river alone will scare your kidneys out.
They turned Human beings ilto fishes even the shooting competition they do it with black magic.
How can someone else use a catapult to bring down a tiny object from almost quater a kilometer?

There is nothing like Juju in the festival, I first read about the festival during Social studies in Primary 3 or 4.

But was actually opportune to experience it first hand during my service year. I was posted to GTC Primary School, inside Adam Augie College of Education Arugungu.

I wanted to redeploy but everything I read about the festival made me stay back and explore the town.

To be honest, it was worth the experience

Remember those days at Grand fishing hotel Argungu.
To see alcohol drink in that location is like searching for gold in your pocket except u enter Birin Kebbi