In Lagos, Nigeria, Azeez Akanni, a 32-year-old fashion designer, battles the sweltering heat as he navigates the crowded city to deliver luxury goods. “The sun is too hot, “he says, as he joins the sweltering crowd on a yellow bus. Across the nation, millions are addressing a severe heatwave that is making daily life increasingly difficult.
Officials warn that recent years have seen some of the highest temperatures ever recorded, with Lagos experiencing the brunt of the heat due to its lack of green space and the heat generated by traffic, buildings, and petrol generators. The situation is exacerbated by a sharp increase in fuel prices, tied to the Iran war, which has made it difficult for many to afford generators or air conditioning.
Emmanuel Chinonso, a driver in Abuja, reflects the nation’s plight: “I stopped using my generator. Fuel is too expensive.”Petrol prices have nearly doubled in many areas, prompting drivers to turn off their car air conditioning and charge passengers extra for its use. Nighttime offers little respite, as power cuts turn homes into ovens.
The heatwave is also taking a toll on outdoor workers. Aminat Jimoh, frying tofu by a busy road, says, “The weather is not good, but we have to endure. If we don’t work, we don’t eat.”Health experts caution that the extreme conditions could exacerbate the spread of diseases like malaria, which is already a significant burden in Nigeria.
As the rainy season approaches, offering the hope of cooler temperatures, it also brings the risk of flooding. For Akanni, any change from the relentless heat is a welcome relief. “I know the rain has its own problems, “he says, “but I just want this heat to go.”.
Source: [Africanews](http://www.africanews.com/2026/04/08/nigeria-faces-deadly-heatwave-as-fuel-costs-skyrocket/)
Original author: Rédaction Africanews
