Isese Day 2026: Check out full list of states that will declare public holiday
Isese Day 2026 will see Lagos and three other states declare a public holiday in August. Legit.ng has compiled the full list of states participating in this cultural celebration.
- August is here, marking the eighth month of the Gregorian system, which is used by most countries around the world
- The month is marked by several notable observances, including Women's Equality Day, International Youth Day, and others
- In this report, Legit.ng highlights four Nigerian states that have the practice of declaring public holiday to observe the Isese Day, a period fixed for August
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Legit.ng
Ibadan, Oyo state - Other things being equal, governors of four southwest states will declare a holiday for all public servants and residents to commemorate the Isese festival.
Legit.ng reports that Isese Day is celebrated annually in Nigeria on August 20.
In 2026, the day falls on a Thursday.
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Isese Day is marked to honour and celebrate Yoruba traditional religion and culture. The day is observed by traditional worshippers who celebrate their deities through prayers, dances, and sacrifices.
The states expected to declare a one-day holiday for Isese Day are Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun.
Of the six southwest provinces, only Ondo and Ekiti do not officially recognise and declare August 20 as 'Isese Day' holiday in their respective states yet.
Legit.ng highlights the states expected to declare public holidays in August 2026 below:
1) Oyo
In 2022, Oyo state traditionalists renewed their call for a public holiday to commemorate Isese Day.
While the state government did not officially declare a public holiday for Isese Day in 2022, Governor Seyi Makinde later approved August 20 as Isese Day and declared a public holiday for it in 2023.
2) Lagos
Like Oyo, Lagos began declaring a public holiday for the Isese Day in 2023.
This was after the Lagos council of Obas and chiefs wrote to the state house of assembly.
3) Ogun
In July 2023, the Ogun house of assembly passed a resolution, declaring August 20 as Isese Cultural Day in the state.
The assembly approved the motion, titled “H.R. No.008/OG/2023: Observation of Isese Day as Work-Free Day in Ogun state.”
The majority leader, Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion, which was seconded by the minority leader, Lukmon Adeleye.
Most of the lawmakers, during the debate on the motion, said the resolution was aimed at propagating the rich culture and traditions of Ogun state, thereby preserving them for the upcoming generations.
They also stated that the resolution would go a long way in boosting tourism and the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the state.
The following month, Ogun state, along with other southwest states like Lagos, Oyo, and Osun, celebrated Isese Day on August 20th, which was declared a public holiday.
The Osun state government has declared a work-free day to commemorate Isese Day for more than a decade.
In 2013, Osun state, under the then-governor Rauf Aregbesola, officially recognised Isese Day, designating August 20th as a public holiday for traditional worshipers, according to Guardian newspaper.
In observance of the Isese Day public holiday in Osun, all banks, government offices, and other establishments are usually closed.
- Legit Original article
