FG Floats Rice Pyramids at Argungu Festival, Vows to Turn Cultural Heritage Into Food and Tourism Goldmine

The legendary waters of the Matan Fada river are stirring again as the Federal Government uses the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival to signal a new era of food sufficiency and global tourism. On the second day of the festivities in Kebbi State, top officials declared that the event is no longer just a local tradition but a “strategic economic engine” for the nation.

Representing the Minister of Agriculture on Thursday, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Tanko Sununu, marveled at the massive rice pyramids and livestock exhibitions that have taken over the festival grounds. For the Federal Government, these displays are the “State of Harmony” in action tangible proof that Nigeria is clawing its way back to being a self-sufficient food basket.

“The display of these rice pyramids is not for show; it is a reflection of the progress we are making in national food security,” Sununu stated while inspecting the pavilions alongside Governor Nasir Idris. “President Tinubu is committed to ensuring that our cultural assets like Argungu also serve as platforms for agribusiness and rural development.”

The 2026 festival marks a high-stakes return for the UNESCO-recognized event after a period of infrastructural renewal. This year, the focus has shifted toward an “Investors’ Forum,” where the Kebbi State Government is actively wooing partners from Europe and Asia to build world-class resorts and processing plants.

From motor rallies that traveled across the North to high-octane polo matches and archery, the town of Argungu has been transformed into a vibrant hub of activity. As thousands of fishermen prepare their nets for the grand finale this Saturday, the message from the government is clear: the Argungu festival is now the frontline of Nigeria’s battle for economic diversification.