Lagos Declares Thursday Public Holiday
The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day to enable residents and visitors to participate in activities marking this year’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration.
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the state government, the decision is aimed at giving Lagos residents and visitors the opportunity to fully participate in the annual celebration, which is expected to attract more than three million traditional worshippers.
Aregbe described Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as more than a holiday, noting that the celebration represents an important expression of Yoruba spirituality, culture and heritage.
He said the continued observance of Yoruba traditions had helped preserve the culture across generations and extended its influence beyond Nigeria, particularly in countries such as Cuba, Brazil and parts of the Caribbean where Yoruba descendants live.
The 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe celebration will feature prayers, traditional rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà. The activities will be coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas.
Aregbe also commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the state’s support for the celebration, describing the policy as part of the administration’s commitment to indigenous values, cultural preservation and religious inclusiveness.
He further acknowledged the roles of traditional rulers, chiefs, Babaláwo, Ìyánífá, Olóòrìṣà and other custodians of Yoruba heritage in preserving and transmitting the culture to future generations.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day has been observed as a work-free day in Lagos since 2023, following a request by the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The state government urged participants to celebrate peacefully and respectfully, stressing that the event provides an opportunity to promote cultural pride, unity and appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse heritage.
