Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has called on the Federal Government to transform the historic Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival into a flagship attraction for Nigeria’s Blue Economy and tourism advancement.
Dating back to 1934, the Argungu Festival is one of the continent’s most iconic cultural and fishing events, attracting thousands of local and international participants and spectators annually.
Speaking through his Deputy, Senator Umar Tafida, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, the governor presented a paper titled, “Fishing Tourism and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects of the Argungu Fishing Festival.”
In the presentation, Governor Idris proposed strategic interventions to harness the full economic value of the festival and turn it into a globally recognized tourism brand.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, the governor urged the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to include the Argungu Festival in the national tourism calendar. He also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to complete work on the long-abandoned permanent festival site.
To ensure efficient oversight, Governor Idris revealed plans to introduce an Executive Bill for the creation of an autonomous management agency that would take charge of organizing the annual event. The agency, he said, would design modern marketing strategies leveraging both digital and conventional media to enhance the festival’s global appeal and investment potential.
He emphasized that the Argungu Festival should be viewed not just as a cultural spectacle but as a vehicle for economic transformation through job creation, fisheries expansion, tourism development, and cross-cultural engagement.
“This platform offers Kebbi State and Nigeria a veritable window to engage local and international audiences, deepening relationships that will open new frontiers for economic growth,” he stated.
The governor also highlighted the critical role of Nigeria’s fisheries sector and urged the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to back initiatives like the festival that can create long-term jobs and revenue for the country.
The Deputy Governor was joined by senior government officials, including the Head of Service, Malami Shekare; Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sani Aliyu; Commissioner for Livestock Development, Kabiru Alaramma; and Director-General of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena.