61st Argungu Fishing Festival: Emir apologises to Tinubu as over 50,000 fishermen disrupt protocol

More than 50,000 fishermen, on Saturday, surged into the historic Matan Fada River in Argungu ahead of the scheduled arrival of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Grand Finale of the 2026 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival (AIFCF).
The development disrupted the established ceremonial protocol as the enthusiastic fishermen, dressed in traditional fishing attire and armed with nets and calabashes, entered the water in anticipation of the much-anticipated fishing competition.
The Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, later apologised to the president for the breach of protocol.
Some of the competing fishermen had been anxiously waiting at a stipulated competition stand point since 5a.m.
Efforts by security personnel and festival officials to manage the situation were unsuccessful, as the fishermen had already commenced the competition before the arrival of the special guests.
Notwithstanding the absence of the President and other key dignitaries, the festival proceeded with the traditional fishing contest amid amazement from thousands of spectators who thronged the riverbank.
The 61st edition of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival attracted participants and tourists from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, reinforcing its reputation as one of Africa’s leading cultural tourism events.