The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day to allow residents to celebrate this year’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe.
Aregbe described Ìṣẹ̀ṣe as a living expression of Yoruba culture and spirituality, stressing that the tradition is not merely a practice of the past.
According to him, Yoruba traditions continue to be upheld by millions of people in Nigeria and across the world, including Yoruba communities and cultural groups in Cuba, Brazil and other parts of the Caribbean.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day is celebrated following a week-long programme of traditional activities and has been observed as a work-free day in Lagos since 2023.
The initiative was introduced following a request by the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, with the state government continuing the tradition annually as part of its efforts to promote indigenous culture and support the freedom of different religious and cultural groups to practise their traditions.
This year’s celebration will feature traditional prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and other cultural activities associated with the Òrìṣà.
The events are being coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas.
The Lagos State Government urged residents participating in the celebration to maintain peace and respect people of other religious and cultural backgrounds throughout the festivities.
