Lagos State to Declare Public Holiday, Reason Emerges
- Isese Day, a Yoruba festival that honours the traditional religion and culture, is always celebrated in August
- Most government offices, schools, and sometimes businesses, close during the day picked for the celebration
- Isese Day is observed as a public holiday in Lagos, a major hub for social activity in the Nigeria
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
Ikeja, Lagos state - Other things being equal, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state 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.
Source: Twitter
Isese Day 2025
In 2025, the day falls on a Wednesday.
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.
Lagos state is expected to declare a one-day holiday for the Isese Day.
Legit.ng reports that the Isese Day is the only public holiday that will be observed in August 2025.
Why Nigerians like public holidays
Spiritual connection and celebration
Religious holidays, in particular, carry deep spiritual meaning and community connection. Traditionalists look forward to Isese Day to rejuvenate their Yoruba cultural and spiritual heritage.
Source: Twitter
Christians embrace Christmas and Easter for the religious services and family time. Muslims admire the two Eids for the sense of peace it purportedly brings. Even secular holidays like Workers’ Day or Democracy Day are viewed as moments of national reflection and an excuse for a day off.
Quality time with loved ones
Public holidays also give people the perfect excuse to spend time with family and friends. Nigeria is one place where community and extended family ties are strong and any opportunity to gather, cook, gist, or go on outings is fully embraced.
This is why for public holidays with long weekends, you find people travelling home to spend time with their family. Others would plan hangouts just to bond and catch up.
Break from the daily hustle
Public holidays offer a much-needed break from the daily hustle. Nigerian workers are used to working long hours and for most people, they juggle multiple jobs or side hustles just to make ends meet.
For both white-collar workers and those in the informal sector, public holidays offer a rare chance to pause, sleep in, and breathe. No traffic stress, no 5 a.m. alarms, just a day or two to rest.
Also, public holidays provide a sense of relief especially in a country where things can often feel chaotic with people battling economic stress and political drama. Even if just for 24 hours, on public holidays, you can just relax, and enjoy the simple things.
Read more Isese Day:
- Isese Day: List of states that have declared Monday public holiday
- Isese Day: Nigerian governor declares Monday public holiday
FG declares holiday in honour of Buhari
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government declared a public holiday to honour the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, who died at a London hospital.
Authorities said the public holiday was to pay tribute to Buhari for "his service to Nigeria, his contributions to the democratic journey of Nigeria, as well as his enduring legacies in national development and governance".
Source: Legit.ng
