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CULTURE

Lagos Declares August 20 Public Holiday for Isese Day

August 18, 2025 • 2 min read

August 18, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The Lagos State Government has declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as a public holiday for all public servants in commemoration of Isese Day, the annual festival that celebrates Yoruba culture, spirituality, and tradition.

In a statement released by the state government, the holiday was described as part of efforts to recognize and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, while also supporting traditional institutions and indigenous practices in Lagos. The government directed that all civil servants are to observe the holiday and resume work on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Isese Day; derived from the Yoruba word Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, meaning “tradition” is observed every year on August 20 by adherents of the Yoruba Traditional Religion (Isese). The day is marked by prayers, cultural displays, rituals, and community gatherings in honor of the Orisa (deities) and revered ancestors. It serves as a reminder of the values, spirituality, and identity of the Yoruba people.

First officially recognized as a public holiday in Osun State in 2014, the observance has since expanded to other states in the South-West. In 2025, states such as Ogun and Oyo have also declared August 20 as a public holiday, with Lagos now joining in the recognition of the day.

The declaration is seen as a landmark step for Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, where diverse cultures coexist. It not only underscores inclusivity but also strengthens the call for respect and acknowledgment of indigenous religions alongside Christianity and Islam, which dominate the country’s religious landscape.

Cultural enthusiasts and traditionalists have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue. They believe it will encourage younger generations to learn more about Yoruba spirituality, language, and customs, thereby preventing cultural erosion in a rapidly modernizing society.

Festivities across Lagos are expected to feature processions, drumming, traditional attire, and prayers at shrines and community centers. Traditional rulers and custodians of culture are also expected to lead observances that highlight unity, peace, and the spiritual essence of Isese Day.

With this declaration, Lagos joins other Yoruba-speaking states in reaffirming the importance of cultural preservation while projecting the relevance of indigenous religion in a modern and diverse Nigeria