Lagos declares August 20 work-free for 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration

Lagos State has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration. This annual observance is dedicated to Yoruba spirituality and cultural heritage, and the government's decision aims to ensure full participation from residents and visitors alike.

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Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape.

Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, announced the holiday, emphasizing that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is a vibrant expression of Yoruba traditions, not a historical relic. The celebration is expected to attract more than three million traditional worshippers to Lagos. Aregbe highlighted the global reach of Yoruba culture, noting that traditions preserved in Lagos resonate with Yoruba descendants in places like Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

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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.

"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," Aregbe stated. The declaration of a work-free day has been a tradition in Lagos since 2023, following a request from the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has continued this practice as part of his administration's commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusivity.

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It takes real conviction for a leader to stand publicly with heritage, and he has done so without hesitation and without apology.

The 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration will feature prayers, rituals, processions, drumming, and cultural displays honoring the Òrìṣà. Coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas, the event encourages peaceful and respectful celebration to promote cultural pride and unity. Aregbe commended the governor for his public support of heritage and acknowledged the vital role of traditional rulers and custodians in preserving Yoruba culture.

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Governments come and go. Custodians carry the culture.