Climate Experts Issue Urgent Heatwave Alert for Northern Nigeria as Temperatures Surge Toward Forty-Three Degrees Celsius

Experts warn of extreme heatwaves in Northern Nigeria reaching 43°C. Discover the impact on agriculture, public health, and the call for a National Heat Action Plan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 8:32 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Climate Forecast Predicts Extreme Thermal Stress

Nigeria is facing a period of unprecedented heat, consistent with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction. Akinmayowa Shobo, a climate expert and programme manager at the HEDA Resource Centre, revealed on Monday that most of the country will experience warmer-than-normal temperatures. The forecast is particularly dire for the northern and north-central regions, where states such as Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Sokoto are expected to record daytime temperatures ranging from 37°C to 43°C throughout March and April.

Threats to Agricultural Productivity and Livestock

The extreme heat poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Shobo noted that prolonged temperatures exceeding 35°C during the reproductive phase of maize can significantly reduce seed formation, leading to sharp declines in crop yields. The danger extends to the animal population as well; research indicates that extreme heat causes hyperthermia in livestock, which can damage vital organs and lead to widespread animal mortality. These factors combined could exacerbate food insecurity across the most affected regions.

Vulnerability of Public Health Systems

Public health officials are bracing for an increase in heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstrokes. Vulnerable groups—including outdoor laborers, the elderly, young children, and pregnant women—are at the highest risk. Low-income earners are also disproportionately affected due to limited access to reliable electricity and modern cooling systems. Shobo emphasized that Nigeria’s average temperature has already risen by approximately 1.2°C in recent decades, and the 2025 global average was 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels, signaling a permanent shift toward a warmer climate.