The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a warning about heat stress due to a sharp increase in temperatures nationwide, with many states experiencing extreme heat conditions. In a statement released on X on Thursday, NiMet reported that as of Wednesday, February 19, temperatures across the country ranged from 38°C to 40°C, with Yelwa recording the highest at 40°C.
Several cities, including Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Awka, Bida, Minna, Gusau, Iseyin, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saw temperatures hitting 38°C. In other regions like Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Ikom, Jalingo, and Yola, temperatures reached slightly higher levels of 39°C.
NiMet warned that these high temperatures are expected to persist, with potential increases in some areas. The agency also noted that moisture from inland areas will combine with high temperatures, intensifying discomfort. “Early mornings, daytime, and nighttime temperatures will feel warmer than expected, causing heightened discomfort,” NiMet added.
Certain states are especially vulnerable to the ongoing heat stress, including Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and the FCT. Additional at-risk regions include Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue.
NiMet has urged residents in these areas to take necessary precautions to reduce the effects of the extreme heat.
In 2024, global temperatures reached record highs, with the World Meteorological Organization declaring it the warmest year ever recorded, with temperatures averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. This marked the first time the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement was surpassed. The year was also marked by intense weather events, including extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and catastrophic floods, all linked to the growing impacts of climate change. As of February 2025, the trend of rising global temperatures continues, with January 2025 recorded as the warmest January on record, despite the cooling influence of a La Niña event.
