Nigeria has been facing more frequent and intense heatwave over the past few years, which experts believe are mainly due to climate changes. These heatwaves are causing major impacts on Nigeria’s environment, economy, and public health, highlighting the urgent need for thorough responses. Nigeria’s climate used to be mostly tropical, with consistent temperature ranges. But in recent decades, there has been a noticeable rise in average temperatures and the occurrence of extreme heat events. Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) reports that Nigeria has experienced a 1.2°C rise in average yearly temperature in the past century.
However, there has been a notable increase in the rate of temperature rising, with an average annual increase of almost 1.4°C since the early 2000s. This can be seen in places like Sokoto, Maiduguri, and Yola, where temperatures surpassed 45°C in 2023 and exceeded 47°C in 2024, making it one of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Nigeria. The health consequences of this trend in Nigeria are significant and widespread. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, face substantial dangers in this situation.
Crop yields are being significantly impacted.
According to statistics released by the Federal Ministry of Health, heat-related illnesses have been on the rise. In 2023, there was a 20 percent surge in cases compared to the year before, which rose even further to 30 percent in 2024, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities due to extreme heat. Heatwaves typically lead to health issues such as heatstroke, dehydration, and worsening of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Crop yields are being significantly impacted by these heatwaves, leading to lower production and even complete crop failure. Important crops like maize, millet, and sorghum, which are essential for the nation’s food supply, are especially at risk.
The 2024 heatwave, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), caused a 20% drop in Agricultural Productivity from the year before. This decline in crop production has a direct impact on the accessibility and cost of food, leading to an increase in food Insecurity for many Nigerians. In addition to affecting crop yields, heatwave also cause disruptions to conventional farming methods. Farmers are challenged with shorter growing seasons due to the early arrival of extreme temperatures. Heatwave in Nigeria have far-reaching socio-economic implications due to the fact that the agricultural sector, which provides employment for more than 70% of the population, is heavily affected.
Urban planning must include green infrastructure to reduce the heat.
Environments in the country is also impacted as Desertification and soil Erosion are worsened, diminishing agricultural land. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) reported that more than 65% of Nigeria’s land is impacted by desertification, exacerbated by recurring heatwaves. Additionally, it has also resulted in higher Electricity Consumption and more frequent power outages due to increased cooling demands in the energy sector. The country’s power Infrastructure is already fragile, and the surge in demand is causing disruptions to daily life and economic activities.
In 2023, there was a 25 percent increase in Electricity demand, with a further surge to 30 percent in 2024 according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). To address this issue, the Nigerian government needs to focus on implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Transitioning to Renewable Energy sources like solar and wind can decrease dependence on fossil fuels and assist in lessening the effects of climate change. It is essential to implement early warning systems and public awareness campaigns to deal with extreme heat. Urban planning must include green infrastructure to reduce the heat island effect in cities.
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Urban areas can cool down substantially by planting trees, establishing parks, and building water features, offering crucial respite from heatwaves. The increasing temperatures and their negative impacts on health, economy, and the environment underscore the crucial importance of implementing urgent measures. This situation calls for urgent proactive Climate Action in response to Nigeria’s intensifying heat period, as seen in the extreme occurrence in 2023 and 2024. Nigeria can potentially alleviate the effects of the intensifying heat, safeguard at-risk communities, and create a stronger future by implementing strong strategies for both mitigation and adaptation to address the challenges posed by climate change.