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April 7, 2025 — A relentless heatwave has descended upon Nigeria, with Lagos and Enugu bearing the brunt of scorching temperatures that have pushed residents to their limits. As the mercury climbs to unprecedented highs—reaching 38°C to 40°C according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)—the crisis is compounded by erratic power supply and skyrocketing energy costs, leaving millions struggling to find relief in the nation’s commercial and southeastern hubs.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling megacity of over 20 million, the heat has turned daily life into a grueling ordeal. Residents in areas like Ikorodu, Lekki, and Isolo report sleepless nights and sweltering days, with many unable to rely on air conditioning or fans due to frequent blackouts. “It’s unbearable,” said Olufunke Dada, an Ikorodu local, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “My whole body is covered in rashes, and I’m spending everything I have on water and creams just to survive this heat.” Bola Yekini, another resident, echoed the sentiment, noting she bathes every two hours and depends on a rechargeable fan—an expense she can barely afford amid rising fuel prices.
Enugu’s story is no less dire. Elochukwu Egwu, a local, painted a bleak picture of life without stable electricity or accessible water. “Everybody is feeling it,” he told NAN. “Most people don’t even have power to cushion the impact, and water is a great challenge here. Some sleep on rooftops just to catch a breeze.” The state’s recent electricity banding—dividing consumers into tiers with varying supply levels—has only deepened the divide, leaving many in the dark as temperatures soar.
The heatwave, which NiMet warned would persist into April, follows a pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change. Professor Emmanuel Oladipo, a retired climatologist, told Nairametrics that global warming has made such conditions “a reality in Nigeria,” urging better ventilation in homes and government action on power infrastructure. Yet, Nigeria’s national grid remains notoriously unstable—two collapses in March alone left the country in darkness during peak heat, forcing reliance on costly diesel generators now out of reach for many as fuel prices have tripled since subsidies ended last year.
Health risks are mounting. NiMet’s February outlook flagged dangers like heatstroke, meningitis, and dehydration, with Enugu’s dusty conditions heightening fears of outbreaks. Residents report exhaustion, rashes, and fainting spells, while the financial strain of buying water, fans, and fuel adds to the burden. “The heat is melting us, and the power issues make it worse,” said Lagos Uber driver Michael Avura, speaking to Rest of World earlier this year—a sentiment that’s only intensified.
As Nigeria launches ambitious projects like the $538 million SAPZ agro-industrial zones in Kaduna and Cross River this week, the heatwave underscores a stark irony: economic progress is stalled by the very climate challenges it aims to address. For now, Lagos and Enugu residents plead for relief—be it rain, reliable power, or affordable cooling—praying for an end to a heatwave that’s testing their resilience like never before.
