LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has warned that rising temperatures associated with the strengthening El Niño climate pattern and the transition into the dry season could expose residents to heat-related illnesses, urging vulnerable groups to take precautions.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning in a statement on Friday, identifying children, pregnant women, older persons, outdoor workers and people with underlying health conditions as particularly vulnerable.
Wahab said Lagos’ dense population, limited green spaces and poorly ventilated neighbourhoods could intensify heat in built-up areas. “The concentration of buildings, roads and other heat-absorbing infrastructure, coupled with limited green spaces and inadequate ventilation in some neighbourhoods, could intensify temperatures in built-up areas,” he said.
He warned that prolonged exposure to excessive heat could cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, while dust and poor air quality could worsen respiratory conditions.
The commissioner advised residents to drink sufficient water, wear light clothing, stay in shaded and well-ventilated places and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest periods of the day. He also urged people with respiratory conditions to limit exposure to dusty environments and avoid open burning of refuse.
Wahab called on schools, markets, workplaces and public facilities to provide drinking water, adequate ventilation and shaded spaces to protect people from excessive heat.
He listed dizziness, headaches, weakness, nausea and muscle cramps among the warning signs of heat-related illness, urging residents not to ignore such symptoms. “Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness should be treated as medical emergencies requiring immediate attention,” he said.
The commissioner also encouraged residents to plant trees, protect existing green spaces and dispose of waste properly to help reduce urban heat. He said the ministry would work with relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the state Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), to strengthen preparedness and response.
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