Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, a public holiday for workers in the state to mark the annual Isese Day celebration, a festival dedicated to Yoruba culture, traditions, and spirituality.
The announcement was contained in a circular issued on Monday, August 18, by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, and distributed across ministries, departments, agencies, local councils, and parastatals.
The circular stated: “It is hereby notified for general information that this year’s Isese Day Celebration will hold on Wednesday, 20th August, 2025. In reaffirming the commitment of the State Government towards promoting our indigenous culture, tradition and preserving our heritage, while providing necessary support for traditional Institutions in the State, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has declared Wednesday, 20th August, 2025 as Work Free Day for Lagos State Public Servants in commemoration of the Day.”
The document further directed all Accounting Officers to ensure service-wide dissemination of the notice, adding that work would resume on Thursday, August 21, at 8:00 a.m.
Isese, a Yoruba term meaning tradition or ancestral heritage, represents the indigenous religion and practices of the Yoruba people, encompassing beliefs, rituals, and moral codes passed down through generations.
The holiday, now gaining official recognition in Lagos and other southwestern states, underscores ongoing efforts to preserve cultural identity and support inclusivity by elevating Yoruba traditional institutions.
