Isese Day: States that have declared Tuesday August 20 as Public Holiday

Isese Day is a day dedicated in Southwest Nigeria to celebrate the Yoruba traditions and religion in a display of culture and spirituality.

To mark the 2024 Isese Day, some southwestern states have declared Tuesday, August 20, 2024 as public holiday to mark Isese Day.

This coincides with the United Nations’ declaration of August 20 as the World Traditional Religion Day.

Below are some of the states:

Lagos state

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has declared Tuesday as a work-free day as part of activities to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Head of Service of the state, Mr Bode Agoro, made available to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

Isese Day is an official public holiday in some states such as Osun, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Kogi.

This holiday aims to foster a sense of identity among adherents of traditional religions.

The statement stated that work would resume in all public offices including courts across the state on Wednesday to allow traditional worshippers celebrate their day.

This is the first time the state government is declaring holiday for Isese Day celebration following the United Nations’ declaration August 20 as the World Traditional Religion Day.

Ogun state

Ogun state government also declared Tuesday a work-free day to mark the festival in a post on X.

“Ogun State Government has declared Tuesday, 20 August, a public holiday to celebrate this year’s Isese Day, in line with the Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s firm belief in religious inclusivity,” the post reads.

According to a statement by Kayode Akinmade, special adviser to the governor on media and strategy, the work-free day will allow traditional worshippers across the state celebrate the festival.

Osun state

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has declared Tuesday, August 20, public holiday in the State for celebration of traditional religion (Isese) Day.

The Osun State Government since the Administration of Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola had in 2012 adopted the Day as ‘Isese’ Day to allow traditionalists in the State commemorate the day.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Abdul-Rasheed Aderibigbe, he stated that Adeleke approved the holiday to allow traditionalists to enjoy the special day.

It reads, “This is to inform the General Public that the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has declared Tuesday, 20th August,2024 as a Public Holiday to celebrate “ISESE DAY”.

He also charged traditionalists to use the day to pray for the administration and the state to prosper, as well as endear unity among various religious groups across the state.

Oyo state

The Oyo State Government has declared August 20 a work-free day to mark the 2024 Isese Day.

This is contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to Oyo State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde had in 2023, declared August 20 every year as a public holiday in the state, in commemoration of the Isese day.

Makinde enjoined all traditional worshippers and residents of the state to use the day to pray for peace, unity and stability of the state and the country in general.