Lagos Declares Public Holiday for 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day

By Dapo Akinrefon LAGOS — Lagos State is set to take centre stage in the celebration of Yoruba heritage and spirituality on Thursday, as more than three million residents are expected to participate in activities marking the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day. To enable residents and visitors to participate fully in the celebration, the Lagos State Government […] The post Lagos goes traditional as 3m residents celebrate Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebrations, dedicated to Yoruba traditional religion, culture, and heritage.Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, noting that more than three million people are expected to participate in the festivities.“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,” Aregbe said.He highlighted the global reach of Yoruba traditions, pointing out that communities in Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean also observe Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day. “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, Salvador, and Port of Spain,” he added.The holiday, first recognised in Lagos in 2023 after a request by the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, has since become an annual event under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda promoting indigenous heritage and inclusiveness.This year’s programme will feature traditional prayers, rituals, processions, drumming, and cultural performances dedicated to the Òrìṣà, coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas.Aregbe commended traditional rulers and custodians, including the Oba of Lagos, White Cap Chiefs, Babaláwo, Ìyánífá, and Olóòrìṣà for preserving Yoruba heritage. He urged participants to celebrate peacefully and respect people of other faiths.“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,” he said.