Residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say extreme heat is harming their health, raising household expenses and disrupting businesses and livelihoods.
The residents, who spoke with journalists, said the intense heat had increased their dependence on electricity, water and other cooling measures, while inconsistent power supply made coping more difficult.
They said the situation had resulted in food spoilage, increased operating costs, changes in working hours and health-related discomfort, particularly among households and people whose occupations exposed them to direct sunlight.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in an October 23 advisory, warned Nigerians to prepare for hotter days, increased heat discomfort, dust and possible water scarcity as the country transitions from the rainy to the dry season.
The agency identified dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke among the health risks associated with excessive heat, warning that prolonged exposure could affect people’s health and productivity.
To reduce heat-related risks, NiMet advised Nigerians to drink water regularly, wear lightweight and breathable clothing, and limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest hours of the day.
It also recommended scheduling strenuous outdoor activities for cooler periods.
In Sokale community, Bwari Area Council, Patient Ndidi said coping with the heat had become an additional financial burden, particularly as a mother trying to keep her children comfortable while managing household expenses.
“The sun was so intense that it felt as though it was draining my blood.
“Even when the children returned from school, I had to tell them to go and take their baths because the heat was so much,” she said.
Ns Ndidi said the situation had increased her household’s electricity consumption because the family needed to run its fans for longer periods whenever power was available.
“We use more units now because whenever there is electricity, we tend to leave the fan on throughout the day.
“As a result, we are constantly recharging our prepaid meter,” she said.
She explained that inconsistent electricity supply had also made food preservation difficult, as cooked meals could easily spoil during prolonged power outages.
According to her, foods such as egusi and groundnut soup, beans and other cooked meals were particularly difficult to preserve, forcing her to prepare smaller quantities that could be consumed at once.
She said the adjustment had increased the frequency of cooking and sometimes resulted in food wastage, additional expenses and stress.
Ms Ndidi added that when electricity was unavailable, members of her household sometimes poured water on their bodies for temporary relief.
“Actually, it has not helped us at all because once there is no electricity, you return to square one,” she said.
She called on the government to improve electricity supply and consider reducing electricity tariffs to ease the financial burden on households.
Similarly, John Anthony, a resident of Kubwa, said coping with the heat was more challenging at home than in his workplace, where air-conditioning provided a comfortable environment.
“Office is not a problem at all; there is AC, so everywhere is always cool until we go home,” he said.
Mr Anthony said his family sometimes opened their windows and doors to improve ventilation while drinking sufficient water to cope with the heat.
He, however, urged the government to ensure a stable electricity supply to enable residents to use cooling appliances.
“Government should please help us to ensure there is stable light so that we will be able to cope and it will reduce it,” he said.
Another Kubwa resident, Ignatius Ikechukwu, a Point of Sale (POS) operator who works under the sun, described coping with the heat as challenging.
He said drinking sufficient water was his major strategy for managing the situation while carrying out his daily activities.
“I do not joke with water at all,” he said.
The effects of the extreme heat have also extended to traders and other business owners, particularly those dealing in perishable goods and products requiring refrigeration.
In Jikwoyi, Lovina Obiyi, a trader dealing in provisions, foodstuffs and poultry, said the excessive heat had resulted in the loss of considerable quantities of poultry.
“We specialise in provisions, foodstuffs and poultry.
“Due to the heat, we have lost quite a good amount of chickens and turkeys to the point that we need to open the place for ventilation,” she said.
