Rising temperature witnessed across the country has led the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to issue a warning to citizens to take precautionary measures against the heat surge effect.
This was made known due to the increase in several states observing extreme heat conditions.
The agency revealed this in a post shared on X on Thursday, alarming that on Wednesday, with temperatures heating 38 and 40 degrees Celsius while Yelwa recorded 40 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature.
NiMet acknowledges that the air temperatures might remain at this level, showing the possibility to increase in some notable areas.
However, the moisture influx is expected to reach far inland up to the central states, which will fuse high temperatures, bearing discomfort levels.
Meanwhile, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Awka, Bida, Minna, Gusau, Iseyin, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among others, recorded 38°C.
Cities experiencing slightly higher temperatures at 39°C include Sokoto, Kebbi, Lokoja, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Ikom, Jalingo, and Yola.
NiMet added, “Early morning, day, and night temperatures will feel warmer than their real values and create more discomfort.
The most vulnerable states to witness heat stress are Ogun, Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, and the FCT.
While the other states shown from the provided data include Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Benue.
Record-Breaking Global Heat in 2024
In 2024, global temperatures soared to an all-time high, averaging 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels—exceeding the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement.
Extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and floods underscored the worsening climate crisis.
The warming trend persists into 2025, with January marking the warmest on record, despite the cooling influence of La Niña.
