Climate change is severely impacting health and agriculture in Northern Nigeria.

As dusk approached, Abubakar Ibrahim, 25, trudged along the streets of Tudun Kauri, a small town in north-central Nigeria. He had just visited a local pharmacy, clutching a sachet of oral rehydration salts labeled “Vama,” a remedy for dehydration and exhaustion.

“I felt unusually weak yesterday, and my mouth was dry,” he explained, visibly drained.

This region of Nigeria has long struggled with erratic weather patterns, turning each season into a challenge for its residents. During the autumn, temperatures can soar above 40°C, a level considered extreme by environmental experts. Since last November, this region has experienced increasingly volatile temperatures, sometimes exceeding 39°C.

Emmanuel Kilaso, Executive Director of the Securecycle Initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State, attributes the intense heat in Northern Nigeria to a mix of geographical, climatic, and human-induced factors like deforestation, urbanization, and poor land management practices. “Northern Nigeria lies in the Sahel region, a semi-arid zone just south of the Sahara Desert, leading to high temperatures and low humidity. Climate change has exacerbated these conditions, with global warming driving up heat levels. Additionally, emissions from industries, vehicles, and agriculture contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the atmosphere,” Kilaso explained.

Ibrahim, once boasting smooth, light velvet skin, is now also grappling with measles, a condition worsened by the stifling heatwave and frequent power outages. “I’ve been sleeping outside for over a year because the indoor heat is unbearable, and the unreliable electricity supply renders fans useless,” he said.

Dr. Abubakar Mahmud, a medical doctor at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, noted, “Excessive heat can lead to various health issues, including exhaustion, dehydration, heat stroke, and more.” He explained that extreme heat can cause cardiovascular stress, potentially leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Excessive sweating, prompted by the heat, can also result in an imbalance of essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium, causing muscle cramps and other complications. Furthermore, it can lead to heat rashes, where sweat glands become blocked and inflamed, causing redness, itching, and discomfort.

Not far away, Abdul-salam Husseina rushed her four-year-old daughter, Ukti, to the hospital after she fainted. Ukti had been suffering from chickenpox, a blister-like rash caused by a virus, but financial constraints prevented her mother from seeking medical attention. The ongoing power outages compounded the issue. “I tried to keep her cool by having her sleep on the couch in the living room, but the heat and power cuts made it unbearable,” the 34-year-old mother of three recounted. “When she started shivering and sweating profusely, I was alarmed. Her eyes suddenly turned white—it was clear she needed immediate help.”

This is not the first time Nigeria has faced severe weather conditions. In 2002, about 60 people died from heat stroke in Maiduguri, Borno State, when temperatures spiked uncontrollably to 55-60°C. Similarly, there are news reports that around 200 people died in May in Adamawa State, due to temperatures ranging from 47-50°C.

The heat wave has also disrupted daily life in other parts of the region. In April, firefighters were seen spraying water on the ground in a market square in Borno State when temperatures hit 45°C, in an attempt to mitigate the heat’s effects.

Ukti showed signs of recovery three days after being treated in a ventilated environment. Dr. Mahmud advises, “It’s important to wear light clothing and minimize exposure to direct sunlight. Parents should ensure their children are well-hydrated, with adequate breastfeeding for infants and liquid-based complementary feeds for older children.”

The extreme weather has also impacted agriculture. Adebayo Kehinde, a vegetable farmer, was disappointed when the rains he expected since March did not arrive. “The normal planting season for tomatoes and peppers is mid-February or early March if it rains. But now, we can’t start until April or May because of the delayed rains,” Kehinde lamented.

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had forecast a late onset of rains across the country, which contributed significantly to a 40% rise in food prices, particularly for vegetable crops like tomatoes and peppers, making them unaffordable for many.

Kehinde’s brother Taiwo and their father Abdul-Fatha, poultry farmers, faced a devastating blow as they recorded a maximum mortality rate of 50 broilers in one month due to the relentless heat, resulting in significant financial losses.

The heat wave has been felt across the country, including in the usually cooler Southwest region. Average daily temperatures have climbed to 32°C, and high humidity has made conditions uncomfortable.

“The rains are inconsistent. When it does rain, the heat intensifies because the dry land hasn’t absorbed enough water. My friend just started planting corn, which he should have been harvesting by now,” observed Kehinde.

In response to the growing climate crisis, President Bola Tinubu committed to eliminating gas flaring in Nigeria at the COP28 methane summit in Dubai, highlighting the global effort to reduce methane emissions. “We have signed off on the reduction of methane emissions. We leverage new technology, and we hope to receive support from leading nations and the Emirates,” Tinubu said, referencing the U.S. and China as major greenhouse gas emitters.

In May, Tinubu established a presidential committee on climate and green economy solutions to oversee renewable energy initiatives as part of his administration’s Renew Hope Agenda. According to government spokesperson Segun Imohiosen, the committee will coordinate policies and programs focused on climate action and green economy development.

Experts emphasize that reforestation, infrastructure adaptation, and community engagement are crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. “Large-scale tree planting initiatives can increase green cover, while community involvement in maintaining green spaces can help reduce temperatures. The government should also establish air-conditioned public cooling centers and create shaded public areas with trees or canopies in high-traffic zones,” Kilaso suggested.