The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a heat stress warning as temperatures across the country skyrocket, with several states experiencing extreme heat conditions. As of Wednesday, February 19, maximum temperatures ranged between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius, with Yelwa recording the highest at 40℃.
NiMet reported that cities like Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Awka, Bida, Minna, Gusau, Iseyin, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded temperatures of 38℃, while Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Ikom, Jalingo, and Yola experienced slightly higher temperatures of 39℃.
The agency cautioned that air temperatures are expected to remain within this range, with the possibility of slight increases in some areas. 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.
Several states have been identified as most vulnerable to the rising heat stress, including Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and the FCT. NiMet advised residents in these areas to take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat.
This heatwave is part of a larger trend of rising global temperatures. In 2024, global temperatures reached unprecedented levels, averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels, making it the warmest year on record. As of February 2025, the trend continues, with January 2025 recorded as the warmest January globally, despite the presence of a typically cooling La Niña event.
