No Light, No Sleep: Nigerians battle heatwave amid erratic power supply

Nigerians in several states are struggling to cope with intense heat as rising temperatures, erratic electricity supply and the high cost of alternative power sources make nights increasingly uncomfortable.

Residents in states including Plateau, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Kano, Niger, Edo, Bayelsa and Ogun told reporters that they had resorted to sleeping outdoors, taking repeated baths and using rechargeable or solar-powered fans to find relief from the heat.

The situation comes as Nigeria transitions into its dry season, with warnings that hotter conditions could pose increased health risks, particularly for children, older people and others vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

In Jos, some residents said prolonged power outages had made sleeping indoors difficult, forcing families to move to verandas and open compounds at night.

Similar concerns were reported in Enugu, where residents said the combination of high temperatures and unreliable electricity had made the use of generators increasingly expensive because of fuel costs.

One resident told our reporter that he sometimes woke up in the middle of the night to take another bath in an effort to cool down. In Benue and Nasarawa, residents also reported sleeping outside their homes as indoor temperatures remained uncomfortable.

The heat has also increased concerns about access to water and the cost of coping with the weather. Some households have turned to rechargeable and solar-powered fans, while others said they could not afford to run generators for extended periods.

Public health experts have urged Nigerians to take precautions against dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

A former chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Kaduna State, Dr Sheyin Madaki, advised residents to drink water regularly, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and pay particular attention to children and older people. He identified excessive sweating, headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea as possible warning signs of heat-related illness.

Other experts have advised Nigerians to wear lightweight clothing, seek shade during the hottest parts of the day and reduce strenuous outdoor activities.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof Olayinka Atilola, also advised people to limit alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks during periods of extreme heat, as they can contribute to dehydration.

The current conditions have highlighted how extreme weather can compound existing challenges with electricity, water and household incomes.

For many families, access to reliable power has become increasingly important as electric fans and other cooling options offer one of the few affordable ways to cope with high temperatures. But where public electricity is unavailable, the cost of fuel, generators and alternative energy equipment can place those options beyond the reach of some households.

As the dry season progresses, health authorities and experts have urged residents to monitor their health, remain hydrated and seek medical attention when symptoms of severe heat-related illness persist or worsen.

The experience of households across several states underscores a broader challenge: for Nigerians facing extreme heat, the struggle is not only about rising temperatures but also about whether they have the electricity, water and financial resources needed to stay safe and comfortable.