Lagos, Ogun, Oyo Declare Today Thur, Aug 20 Public Holiday To Mark Isese Day For Traditional Worshippers
Three Yoruba states in the South-West have declared today Thursday, August 20, As a public holiday to Mark Isese Day, for traditional worshippers
LAGOS STATE
The Lagos State Government declared Thursday, August 20, 2026 work-free for the celebration of this year’s Isese Day.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, on Wednesday, the Isese festival was described as an expression of Yoruba traditions and spirituality.
“To ensure Lagosians and tourists get an unforgettable experience during the celebration, the Lagos State Government has declared the day a work-free day for public servants, political appointees and others,” Aregbe said.
He noted that about 3 million residents will gather for the traditional worship and celebration, adding that the Yoruba tribe is one of Africa’s largest ethnic nations with more than 55 million people globally.
According to him, “adhering to the culture and tradition over the years has sustained the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe festivals in Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean, where many Yorubas live aside from Africa to this day.
“When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage.
“Iṣẹ̀ṣe Day marks the culmination of a full week of traditional activities, and has been observed as a work-free day in Lagos since 2023, following a request from the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has upheld it every year since, in line with the administration’s commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusiveness under the THEMES+ Agenda.
“Three million voices rising in honour of tradition is not noise. It is history, faith and cultural pride in harmony. Whether you worship in a mosque, a church or a grove, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day belongs to you, because heritage has no denomination. Lagos remains the city where every heritage finds its place.”
He thanked the governor for his support to the traditional institution and urged all participants to celebrate peacefully and respectfully.
This year’s celebrations will feature prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà, coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN).
OGUN STATE
Similarly, the Ogun State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, as a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Isese Day celebration.
This was contained in a release signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.
The declaration, according to the government, underscores the administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting Yoruba culture, heritage and traditional values.
It would be recalled that August 20 was formally declared a public holiday in Ogun State in 2023, following a resolution of the Ogun State House of Assembly and the approval of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
The government said Isese Day provides an opportunity for adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion to honour their ancestors, observe traditional rites and promote the values and teachings embedded in their spiritual and cultural practices.
It noted that the celebration also promotes a sense of community among practitioners, while providing an opportunity for the wider society to appreciate and respect the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
According to the statement, the observance of Isese Day reflected the administration’s recognition of the important role of culture and traditional institutions in preserving the state’s identity and strengthening social cohesion.
The government therefore urged residents to celebrate the day peacefully and responsibly, while respecting the beliefs, rights and practices of others.
OYO STATE
Also, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day in commemoration of Isese Day, a day dedicated by the state government to celebrating the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.
This was contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, conveyed through a statement released by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
According to the memo, the governor extended his felicitations to adherents of African Traditional Religion across Oyo State, Nigeria, and beyond, wishing them a successful and spiritually enriching celebration.
Governor Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness across all religions, expressing gratitude to traditional worshippers for their support of his government over the past seven years.
The memo noted that “the work-free day will enable workers and residents to fully participate in the celebration of the state’s cultural heritage and pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state in particular, and the country in general.”
