The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize Isese adherents by declaring August 20 and 21 as national public holidays.
The call was made on Wednesday, August 20, in Ibadan, Oyo State, by ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, ahead of the 2025 Isese Day celebration.
He emphasized that national recognition would strengthen cultural identity and promote unity across the country.
“We call for national recognition from President Tinubu through the declaration of August 20th and 21st as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria,” Fakayode said.
Currently, some states in the South-West, including Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun, have declared August 20 as a work-free day.
However, Fakayode urged governors in Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta states to follow suit by recognizing Isese Day as well.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of government support for cultural preservation.
“We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands, and integrate practitioners into cultural councils like it is being done for Muslims and Christians,” he added.
Fakayode further called for the Federal Government to address religious inequality, noting that Isese practitioners deserve the same recognition as Christians and Muslims.
According to him, acknowledging Isese would not only safeguard heritage but also promote fairness among Nigeria’s three major religions.
“Isese represents the foundation of Yoruba and African identity; it embodies morality, unity, reverence for nature and communal living.
Celebrating Isese safeguards our heritage, promotes pride in our culture and strengthens enduring values, such as honesty, respect and hard work,” Fakayode explained.
In addition, the ICIR president praised South-West governors for supporting the festival, while urging the federal government to invest in cultural sites nationwide.
Such investments, he argued, would boost revenue, tourism, and community development.
