Lagos Declares August 20, 2026, Work-Free for Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day

The Lagos State Government has officially declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day to facilitate participation in the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration. This announcement was made by Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a statement released on Wednesday.

The work-free day aims to enable Lagos residents and visitors to engage fully in the festivities, which are anticipated to attract more than three million traditional worshippers. Aregbe emphasized the significance of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as a vital expression of Yoruba spirituality and cultural heritage.

He noted that the Yoruba community, numbering over 55 million worldwide, has preserved its traditions, influencing celebrations in countries like Cuba and Brazil. The 2026 celebration will include prayers, rituals, processions, and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà, coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has supported this initiative as part of his administration's commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusiveness.