In an update published by The Punch, environmental scientists and health experts have warned that Nigeria is entering a period of extreme climate unpredictability. Unusual rainfall patterns observed in Lagos and Ogun states during January and early February are being cited as clear indicators that traditional seasonal cycles have been disrupted by global warming.
Mr. Ahoton James, Director of Environmental Service at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, noted that the absence of a traditional harmattan season in late 2025 and early 2026 is a significant red flag. The experts predict that the country may face intense heatwaves and unseasonable flooding, which could severely impact food security and public health.
The changing climate is already affecting agricultural planning, as farmers who rely on predictable rain cycles are finding it difficult to time their planting. This volatility is expected to persist throughout the year, necessitating a shift in national disaster management strategies.
Validating reports from Vanguard and Daily Trust emphasize these concerns, with Vanguard quoting a meteorologist who said, “We are seeing the 2026 weather calendar being rewritten by carbon footprints,” while Daily Trust noted that “Northern states must prepare for record-breaking temperatures this summer.”
Echotitbits take: The failure of the harmattan and early rains in the south are not just anomalies; they are economic risks. Expect a spike in cooling costs and potential volatility in food prices if the heatwaves affect the early planting season.
Source: The Cable – https://www.thecable.ng/heat-like-hell-fire-strange-weather-angry-water-what-nigerians-call-climate-change/, February 8, 2026
Photo credit: The Cable
