Lagos State has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving indigenous culture with the declaration of Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as a public holiday for the annual Isese Day celebration.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the work-free day for all public servants, according to a circular issued on Monday by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro. The directive was sent across ministries, departments, agencies, councils, and parastatals, emphasising that normal office activities would resume on Thursday, August 21.
“The Lagos State Government remains committed to promoting our indigenous culture, traditions, and preserving our heritage, while providing necessary support for traditional institutions,” the circular read.
Isese Day, rooted in Yoruba spirituality and traditions, has grown in stature over the years as a unifying celebration for practitioners of indigenous religion and custodians of culture. By recognising the festival with a state-wide holiday, Lagos positions itself as a front-runner in cultural inclusivity and heritage preservation.
The declaration also signals the government’s broader cultural policy aimed at balancing modernity with tradition. Officials say the observance not only honours ancestral values but also strengthens identity for younger generations in the face of globalisation.
Public events, processions, and community gatherings are expected across the state on Wednesday, with traditional leaders and cultural organisations set to take centre stage in marking the day.
For many Lagosians, the holiday goes beyond rest—it is an affirmation that Yoruba traditions have a secure place in the state’s cultural landscape.
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