Temperatures in Nigeria are significantly higher now than they were thirty years ago because of climate change, which has made the country’s intense heat worse. Nigeria currently has yearly average temperatures of about 26.9°C, with regional variances based on terrain. For instance, coastal locations often have lower temperatures, but during heatwaves, especially during the dry season, northern regions can reach temperatures of over 40°C. In April 2024, Sokoto in northwest Nigeria recorded a high of 44.8°C, underscoring the intensity of the current heat wave.
With some areas seeing increases of more than 1.5°C, temperatures have increased dramatically during the last three decades. There were fewer extreme weather events and lower average temperatures in 1994. The continuous increase is attributed to global climate change, as research indicates that human-induced variables have increased the likelihood of such high temperatures by tenfold. Droughts are getting worse, Agriculture is being impacted, and Nigeria’s water and energy supplies are being strained by this rising trend. Ongoing efforts are being made to lessen the effects of this warming, such as creating Renewable Energy initiatives and climate adaption plans for communities who are at risk.
Increase in temperatures vary by regions in the country.
Nigeria had average temperatures that were significantly lower than those recorded now about 30 years ago, in the early 1990s. In the 1990s, the nation’s average yearly temperature varied significantly by location, ranging from about 25°C to 27°C. As an illustration, the average temperature in northern Nigeria, which is renowned for its hotter and drier climate, was between 27°C and 29°C, whilst the average temperature in the southern coastal regions was closer to 24°C to 26°C. Since the 1990s, the nation’s average yearly temperature has risen by roughly 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Not all parts of the nation have experienced the same increase in temperature. While these extremes were less common in the early 1990s, temperatures in northern locations like Sokoto and Maiduguri have increased more sharply, reaching over 40°C during the dry season. Southern areas like Lagos and Port Harcourt, on the other hand, have had less noticeable but still notable temperature increases. Because to the Atlantic Ocean’s cooling influence, coastal communities often have lower temperatures; yet, they also face the challenges of increased humidity and heat stress. About 0.03°C to 0.05°C has been added to Nigeria’s average yearly temperature over the last 30 years.
Rising temperatures have had a significant influence on public health.
There have been noticeable effects from this relatively minor rise, especially in the fields of Public Health and agriculture. Crop yields have decreased in agriculture due to heat stress and altered rainfall patterns, especially for temperature-sensitive staples like sorghum and maize. There is less arable land available and Food Security is further threatened in the already arid northern regions due to rising desertification. Additionally, the rising temperatures have had a significant influence on public health. In urban locations like Lagos, where the urban heat island effect makes the situation worse, the prevalence of heat-related disorders including heat exhaustion and heat stroke has grown.
Disease outbreaks like Malaria have also become more common as a result of rising temperatures because they enable mosquitoes to flourish in previously unfriendly areas. Continuous efforts are being made to lessen these effects. NGOs and foreign partners are collaborating with the Nigerian government on a number of climate adaptation and mitigation projects. One noteworthy program is Nigeria’s “Vision 30:30:30,” which seeks to minimise carbon Emissions and dependency on fossil fuels by increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the nation’s electrical mix to 30% by 2030.
Related Article: Climate Change and its Effects on Nigeria
Additionally, initiatives like the Solar Electricity Naija Program seek to improve energy availability and lessen the need for diesel generators by bringing off-grid solar electricity to rural communities. In order to help farmers adjust to the changing climate, climate-smart agricultural methods are also being advocated. To promote resilience, for instance, better water management practices and seed varieties resistant to Drought are being introduced. International programs such as Power Africa are also helping Nigeria lower emissions and increase its potential for renewable energy.