NiMet warns Nigerians of heat stress as temperatures soar nationwide

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has issued a heat stress warning following a surge in temperatures across the country, with several states experiencing extreme heat conditions.

In a report posted on X on Thursday, NiMet revealed that as of Wednesday, February 19, maximum temperatures ranged between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, with Yelwa recording the highest at 40℃.

According to the agency, several cities, including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Awka, Bida, Minna, Gusau, Iseyin, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recorded temperatures of 38℃.

Meanwhile, Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Ikom, Jalingo, and Yola experienced slightly higher temperatures of 39℃.

NiMet cautioned that air temperatures are expected to remain within this range, with the possibility of slight increases in some areas.

Additionally, the expected moisture influx reaching far inland into the central states will combine with high temperatures to intensify discomfort levels.

“Early morning, day, and night temperatures will feel warmer than their real values and create more discomfort,” NiMet stated.

The agency identified several states as most vulnerable to the rising heat stress, including Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and the FCT.

Others include: Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue.

NiMet advised residents in these areas to take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat.

In 2024, global temperatures reached unprecedented levels, with the World Meteorological Organization confirming it as the warmest year on record, averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels.

This marked the first time the 1.5°C threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement was surpassed.

The year was characterized by extreme weather events, including severe heatwaves, devastating wildfires, and catastrophic floods, all attributed to the escalating impacts of climate change.

As of February 2025, the trend of rising temperatures continues, with January 2025 recorded as the warmest January globally, despite the presence of a typically cooling La Niña event.