Climate Crisis in Nigeria: Waning Harmattan Season Triggers Regional Food Insecurity and Health Concerns

Low harmattan intensity in Nigeria disrupts farming cycles and poultry growth, raising alarms over food security and the 2026 lean season.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Environmental Shifts and Public Health Impacts

The traditionally cold and dusty harmattan season, which typically spans from October to March in Nigeria, has seen a marked decline in intensity during the 2025-2026 cycle. For individuals like Abdullahi Usman, an asthmatic bricklayer in Nasarawa, the near-absence of dust and extreme cold has resulted in a rare period of health stability. However, medical research from the National Library of Medicine highlights that while the lack of dust reduces immediate respiratory triggers, the underlying shift in weather patterns points toward a volatile climate. This "missing coolant" effect has replaced the typical haze with unusually high temperatures during months that historically represent the seasonal peak of cold.

Agricultural Disruptions and Crop Vulnerability

The agricultural sector is facing immediate challenges as the natural cooling properties of the harmattan fail to materialize. Greenhouse farmers in Plateau State, including Dabon Gyang, have reported instances of sunburn on plants due to the lack of a balanced weather cycle for photosynthesis. Poultry farmers in Kaduna also noted increased mortality risks for livestock, as the absence of nighttime cooling forces producers to invest more heavily in artificial heat regulation. Sellers of perishable goods, such as beans and yams, have observed that the extreme heat causes cooked produce to spoil faster, further squeezing profit margins for small scale vendors.

Climate Change and Atmospheric Circulation

Meteorological experts attribute the waning harmattan to global warming and significant shifts in atmospheric patterns. Ibrahim Wasiu of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency explained that the Inter Tropical Discontinuity line remains higher than usual, preventing the high-pressure systems in the Sahara from pushing dust-laden winds southward. Professor Ishaya Sunday from the University of Abuja characterized the missing harmattan between late 2025 and early 2026 as a "major signature" of climate change. This variability is disrupting traditional planting calendars, as farmers are unable to predict when the ground will hold enough moisture or warmth for successful germination.