Lagos warns of extreme heat as El Niño strengthens and dry season nears

The Lagos State Government has asked residents to prepare for possible extreme heat, dust and worsening air quality as the El Niño climate pattern strengthens and the dry season sets in.

The warning came on Friday from the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement signed by the ministry's Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina.

Wahab said the conditions could bring unusually high temperatures, dry spells, more dust and poorer air, all of which carry health risks. How severe it gets will depend on the weather, he added, but residents should take the risk seriously.

Who is most at risk

The commissioner listed children, older persons, pregnant women, outdoor workers, street traders, construction workers, waste handlers and people with underlying health conditions as the most vulnerable.

He asked families, employers, schools and community leaders to look out for these groups and make sure protective steps are in place.

Lagos, he said, is especially exposed because it is densely populated, fast-growing and coastal. Buildings, roads and other heat-absorbing structures, together with few green spaces and poor ventilation in some neighbourhoods, could push temperatures higher in built-up areas.

Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, Wahab warned, and these can be serious if not treated quickly.

He also said the dry season's dust and haze could worsen breathing problems, and that heavier use of petrol and diesel generators during power cuts could add to local air pollution.

What residents are advised to do

Wahab urged residents to drink enough water, wear light, breathable clothing, stay in shade and well-ventilated spaces, and avoid hard outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.

Schools, markets, workplaces and other public places should provide ventilation, drinking water and shaded areas where people can rest, he said.

Residents should watch for signs of heat illness, including heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, weakness, nausea and muscle cramps. Anyone showing these signs should be moved to a cooler place and taken for medical attention if needed.

Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness should be treated as medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

People with respiratory conditions were advised to limit time in dusty areas and follow health and air-quality advisories. Wahab also asked residents to stop open burning of refuse and to protect trees, plant more and keep green spaces.

The ministry said it would keep raising awareness and work with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the state Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to strengthen preparedness and response.

What happens next: The advice stands for the coming dry season. Residents in dense neighbourhoods, and anyone who works outdoors, should plan for hotter days and watch for heat-illness symptoms.