Argungu Roars to Life as 59kg Giant Fish Steals the Show

By: Oluwaseun Lawal

The river was restless. Crowds loud. Anticipation everywhere.

Then it happened — a 59-kilogram fish broke the surface at Mata Fada in Argungu, instantly becoming the biggest catch of the 61st Argungu International Fishing Festival. Cheers erupted. Cameras flashed. History, again.

The moment was confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who described the massive catch as one of the defining highlights of this year’s festival.

Thousands had already gathered along the riverbank. Fishermen, tourists, culture lovers. Some say close to 40,000 participants were expected. In fact, many competitors jumped into the water even before the official ceremony began — eager, impatient, ready. All this ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s arrival.

When the weighing was done, Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area stood tallest with the 59kg giant. A proud moment. Abdullahi Garba from Argungu followed with a 40kg catch, while Nasir Garba and another contestant tied for third place with 33kg fishes each.

Prizes? Big ones.

Deputy Governor Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida Argungu announced that the overall winner would receive two Toyota vehicles donated by the Sokoto State Government, bags of WACOT rice, and ₦1 million cash. The runner-up went home with a car, a Hajj slot and ₦1 million. The joint third-place winners each got two motorcycles and ₦750,000.

Earlier in the day, President Tinubu had arrived in Birnin Kebbi, commissioning the new State Secretariat and the upgraded Central Motor Park before heading to Argungu to formally declare the festival open.

What began in 1934 as a symbol of peace between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom has grown into something bigger. Much bigger. Today, Argungu is not just about fishing. It’s music. Dance. Wrestling. Crafts. Culture on full display.

And this year, a 59-kilogram fish made sure nobody forgets it anytime soon.