The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant national recognition to Isese adherents by declaring August 20 and 21 as public holidays.
ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, made the appeal in Ibadan during the commemoration of the 2025 Isese Day celebration.
He urged the Federal Government to end what he described as inequality among Nigeria’s three major religions by recognising traditional worshippers in the same way Muslims and Christians are accorded public holidays.
While states like Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun declared a work-free day for this year’s Isese Day, Fakayode urged governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta to follow suit.
“We call for national recognition through the declaration of August 20 and 21 as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria,” he said, also appealing for government support in funding cultural festivals, protecting shrines, and integrating traditionalists into cultural councils.
Fakayode further noted that celebrating Isese would not only safeguard Yoruba and African heritage but also foster unity, morality, and pride in indigenous culture. He encouraged the Federal Government to invest in cultural sites nationwide to boost revenue and community development.
