Heatwaves And Health: How Rising Temperatures Are Affecting Nigerians

The Traffic NG

November 13, 2026
13 min read
temperatures

Rising temperatures across Nigeria are increasing concerns about dehydration, heat exhaustion, respiratory complications and other health conditions, with children, pregnant women, elderly people and outdoor workers facing heightened risks as climate change intensifies extreme weather.

Nigeria is facing growing public health concerns as rising temperatures, prolonged periods of excessive heat and changing weather patterns expose millions of people to health risks that extend beyond ordinary discomfort.

From crowded urban communities in Lagos and Abuja to rural settlements across the northern states, extreme heat is increasingly affecting how people work, sleep, travel and carry out their daily activities.

The consequences are becoming particularly worrying for vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, elderly people, people living with chronic illnesses and workers who spend long hours outdoors.

Although hot weather is familiar to Nigerians, health experts warn that prolonged exposure to unusually high temperatures can place considerable pressure on the human body, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and complications associated with existing medical conditions.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of hotter days and increased heat discomfort as the country transitions into the dry season.

In an advisory issued on October 23, 2026, the agency cautioned that changing weather conditions, including reduced rainfall and cloud cover, could contribute to rising temperatures and increased exposure to excessive heat.

The warning came amid growing concerns about the potential health consequences of the strengthening El Niño climate pattern and its possible influence on regional weather conditions.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had also warned Nigerians in March 2026 about rising temperatures and the increased risks of heat-related health complications and fire outbreaks across parts of the country.

These warnings underline the growing importance of treating extreme heat as a public health issue rather than simply an uncomfortable weather condition.

A report by the Climate Impact Lab, highlighted by Premium Times in October 2026, estimated that Nigeria could record approximately 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027 under the projected extreme-heat scenario.

The estimate formed part of a wider global projection of 451,000 additional heat-related deaths associated with the anticipated Super El Niño period.

Although the figures are projections rather than confirmed deaths, they highlight the potential scale of the health threat and the importance of preventive action.

How Extreme Heat Affects The Human Body

The human body maintains its internal temperature within a relatively narrow range through processes that include sweating and increased blood flow to the skin.

However, when environmental temperatures become excessively high, particularly when accompanied by high humidity, the body’s ability to release heat becomes less effective.

Sweating is one of the body’s principal cooling mechanisms, but excessive sweating without adequate replacement of lost fluids can result in dehydration.

As the body loses water, blood volume can decrease, placing additional pressure on the heart and circulatory system.

This can lead to weakness, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps and other symptoms associated with heat exhaustion.

If exposure continues without appropriate cooling and treatment, the condition can progress to heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its July 2026 fact sheet on heat and health, identified extreme heat as an important environmental and occupational health hazard.

The organisation warned that heat stress can worsen existing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory conditions and kidney disorders.

It also noted that prolonged exposure to excessive heat can increase the risk of acute kidney injury because of dehydration and the additional strain placed on the body.

The danger is not limited to people working under direct sunlight. Individuals living in poorly ventilated buildings, crowded accommodation and communities with limited access to cooling facilities may also experience prolonged exposure to dangerous indoor temperatures.

Children And Pregnant Women Face Growing Health Risks

Children and pregnant women are among the populations attracting increased attention in global discussions about the health consequences of extreme heat.

Young children may be particularly vulnerable because their bodies have different temperature-regulation capacities from adults and they may not always recognise or communicate early symptoms of heat-related illness.

Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of dehydration, fatigue and heat-related complications.

Pregnant women also face additional concerns because excessive heat places physiological stress on the body during a period when maternal health requires particular attention.

Research has increasingly associated exposure to extreme temperatures during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes, including premature delivery and low birth weight.

On October 21, 2026, WHO, the World Meteorological Organisation, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund announced a new global framework to monitor the health effects of extreme heat on pregnant women, newborns and children.

The organisations said available studies showed that exposure to extreme heat was associated with a 26 per cent increase in the odds of preterm birth.

They also reported that babies under one year experienced 389 per cent more heatwave days in 2024 compared with the 1986–2005 baseline period.

The framework is intended to improve monitoring, preparedness and responses to heat-related health risks affecting mothers and children.

For Nigeria, the development is particularly relevant because access to adequate maternal healthcare, reliable electricity, clean water and comfortable living conditions remains uneven across communities.

Pregnant women living in poorly ventilated accommodation or working in environments with limited opportunities for rest and hydration may face additional challenges during periods of excessive heat.

Health authorities therefore need to incorporate heat-related risks into maternal and child health education, antenatal services and community healthcare programmes.

Outdoor Workers Bear A Disproportionate Burden

Another group facing significant exposure to rising temperatures consists of Nigerians whose livelihoods require them to spend extended periods outdoors.

Farmers, construction workers, street traders, transport workers, security personnel, waste handlers and roadside vendors often work under direct sunlight for several hours.

For many of these workers, avoiding exposure to excessive heat is not always practical because their income depends on completing daily activities.

Construction workers, for instance, may undertake physically demanding tasks on exposed sites where concrete surfaces, metal structures and limited shade can intensify heat exposure.

Commercial drivers, motorcycle operators and street traders may also experience prolonged heat exposure while working in congested urban environments.

In rural communities, farmers face similar challenges as they carry out agricultural activities during increasingly difficult weather conditions.

A study published in the Nigerian Journal of Basic and Clinical Sciences in August 2026 examined the physiological and cognitive effects of chronic heat exposure among outdoor workers, pregnant women and mothers with young children in north-western Nigeria.

The study involved 1,000 participants and found that 28 per cent had elevated core body temperatures of at least 38°C, while 32 per cent showed evidence of clinical dehydration.

It also reported significant cognitive impairment among 45 per cent of participants assessed using a cognitive test.

Among the pregnant women and mothers included in the research, higher heat exposure was associated with increased odds of preterm birth, low birth weight and other pregnancy-related complications.

Although the cross-sectional findings establish associations rather than proving that heat alone caused these outcomes, the research provides important evidence of the potential health consequences of prolonged exposure.

The findings also strengthen calls for occupational health protections, including regular rest breaks, drinking water, shaded work areas and adjustments to working hours during periods of excessive heat.

Lagos And The Growing Urban Heat Problem

The effects of rising temperatures are particularly important in major Nigerian cities, where rapid urbanisation, population growth and infrastructure development are changing local environmental conditions.

Lagos presents a significant example of the challenges associated with urban heat.

The city’s concentration of buildings, roads, commercial activities and transportation infrastructure can contribute to the retention of heat, particularly in densely developed neighbourhoods with limited vegetation.

A recent research brief published by the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) under the PALM-TREEs project identified widespread heat stress across its study locations in Lagos.

The research found that none of the monitored locations recorded heat stress below 35°C.

It also reported that approximately 75.5 per cent of respondents worked outdoors, while 46.3 per cent of households experienced high thermal housing vulnerability.

The findings indicated that high temperatures combined with humidity were contributing to substantial discomfort, particularly during the dry season.

The report also identified urban heat island effects in central parts of Lagos, where buildings and infrastructure can contribute to higher temperatures compared with surrounding areas.

In October 2026, the Lagos State Government warned residents about possible extreme heat conditions associated with the strengthening El Niño climate pattern and the transition into the dry season.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, urged children, pregnant women, elderly people and outdoor workers to take precautions.

The government also warned that extreme heat could worsen existing air-quality problems, particularly during the dry season when dust and haze may increase respiratory irritation.

In densely populated neighbourhoods, poor ventilation, limited access to green spaces and dependence on generators during electricity outages can further complicate efforts to remain cool.

These conditions demonstrate that the health consequences of extreme heat are closely connected to housing quality, urban planning, electricity supply and access to essential services.

Heat Can Worsen Existing Medical Conditions

One of the most serious consequences of extreme temperatures is their ability to worsen illnesses that people may already be managing.

People living with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma and kidney disorders may experience additional health complications during periods of excessive heat.

The heart works harder as the body attempts to regulate temperature, while dehydration can affect blood circulation and kidney function.

For people with existing cardiovascular conditions, the additional strain may increase the risk of serious complications.

Individuals with kidney disease are also vulnerable because dehydration can worsen kidney function and increase the possibility of acute kidney injury.

Heat can also affect people living with respiratory illnesses.

During the dry season, dust, haze and other airborne particles may combine with high temperatures to create difficult conditions for people with asthma and other respiratory disorders.

WHO has warned that extreme heat can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk of hospitalisation and premature death.

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable because the body’s ability to regulate temperature can become less effective with age.

Some older people may also have limited mobility, live alone or depend on medication that affects fluid balance and temperature regulation.

Medical professionals therefore advise people with chronic illnesses to discuss heat-related precautions with their healthcare providers rather than independently changing prescribed medication.

The Economic And Social Consequences Of Extreme Heat

Beyond its direct medical consequences, excessive heat is increasingly affecting productivity, household expenses and economic activities.

Workers exposed to high temperatures may experience fatigue, reduced concentration and lower physical performance.

For people whose jobs require continuous physical activity, these effects can increase the likelihood of workplace accidents.

Students may also struggle to concentrate in classrooms with poor ventilation, particularly where overcrowding and unreliable electricity make cooling difficult.

At the household level, families may spend more money on drinking water, electricity, cooling equipment and healthcare during prolonged periods of excessive heat.

The financial burden can be particularly difficult for low-income households that cannot afford air conditioning, reliable electricity or improved housing.

The situation creates an additional inequality because people with the greatest exposure to excessive heat are often those with the fewest resources to protect themselves.

WHO has also warned that extreme heat can disrupt essential services, particularly when electricity shortages affect health facilities, water infrastructure and transportation systems.

This means that a heatwave can create wider public health problems beyond the immediate effects of high temperatures.

What Nigerians Can Do To Protect Themselves

Health authorities advise Nigerians to take preventive measures during periods of excessive heat.

Drinking water regularly is important, particularly for people who spend long hours outdoors or engage in physically demanding activities.

People should avoid waiting until they become extremely thirsty before drinking water.

Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting and breathable clothing can also help the body regulate temperature.

Where possible, strenuous outdoor activities should be reduced during the hottest periods of the day and moved to cooler morning or evening hours.

People should seek shade, use well-ventilated spaces and take regular breaks when working outdoors.

Parents and caregivers should pay particular attention to children and ensure they have access to drinking water and cooler environments.

Children and animals should never be left unattended inside parked vehicles because temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly.

People experiencing excessive sweating, dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness or muscle cramps should move to a cooler environment and take steps to cool their bodies.

Heatstroke requires urgent medical attention. Warning signs can include confusion, seizures, collapse and loss of consciousness. Anyone displaying these symptoms should receive emergency medical care immediately.

People with heart, kidney and other chronic conditions should seek professional advice about appropriate hydration and heat precautions, particularly where they have been given medical instructions to restrict fluid intake.

Why Nigeria Needs A Stronger Heat-Health Response

The growing health risks associated with rising temperatures require a coordinated response involving government agencies, healthcare institutions, employers, schools and local communities.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Health, NiMet, NEMA and environmental authorities have important roles in improving public awareness, monitoring weather conditions and preparing health facilities for periods of excessive heat.

The Federal Ministry of Health’s Nigeria Climate Change and Health National Adaptation Plan, published in March 2025, recognises the vulnerability of the country’s health system to climate-related risks.

The document highlights concerns involving healthcare infrastructure, workforce capacity, financing, climate-sensitive disease monitoring and the need for improved early-warning systems.

However, translating climate-health policies into practical protection requires sustained funding and implementation.

Nigeria needs stronger heat-health surveillance, reliable public weather alerts, targeted community education and improved access to drinking water and cooling facilities.

Hospitals and primary healthcare centres should also be equipped to identify and manage heat-related illnesses, while employers should introduce workplace measures that protect workers during periods of excessive temperatures.

Urban planning must equally prioritise trees, parks, green spaces, improved building ventilation and climate-resilient housing.

For Lagos and other rapidly expanding Nigerian cities, reducing the concentration of heat-absorbing surfaces and improving access to shaded public spaces could help reduce residents’ exposure.

A Growing Public Health Challenge

Rising temperatures are changing the health risks Nigerians face, making extreme heat an increasingly important issue for public health planning.

The danger is not restricted to occasional heatwaves. Repeated exposure to high temperatures, particularly in poorly ventilated homes and workplaces, can create cumulative health pressures for millions of people.

Children, pregnant women, elderly people, outdoor workers and individuals living with chronic illnesses require particular attention.

The warnings issued by NiMet, NEMA and state environmental authorities, alongside emerging Nigerian research, demonstrate the need for a more organised national response.

For Nigeria, the challenge is not simply predicting when temperatures will rise but ensuring that citizens have the information, infrastructure and healthcare support required to protect themselves.

As climate conditions continue to change, the ability to prepare for extreme heat could become an increasingly important measure of the country’s public health resilience.

Protecting Nigerians from excessive heat will require more than public warnings. It will demand investment in healthcare, better urban planning, improved working conditions, reliable electricity and access to clean water.

Without these interventions, rising temperatures could place an increasingly heavy burden on households, workplaces and an already pressured healthcare system.