Nigeria faces intense heatwave and electricity shortages

Residents across several Nigerian states, including Plateau, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Kano, Niger, Edo, Bayelsa, and Ogun, are struggling to cope with rising temperatures and an erratic electricity supply. The combination of intense heat and prolonged power outages has forced many individuals to sleep outdoors on verandas or in open compounds to find relief.

To manage the heat, many households have resorted to taking frequent baths and using rechargeable or solar-powered fans. However, the high cost of fuel and alternative power sources has placed a significant financial burden on families. In states like Enugu, the expense of running generators due to high fuel costs has become a major concern.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned of hotter conditions as the country transitions from the rainy season to the dry season. Additionally, the Climate Impact Lab’s El Niño Heat Mortality Tracker has projected that Nigeria could see approximately 56,000 heat-related deaths between October 2026 and March 2027 due to extreme-heat days triggered by El Niño.