Education
Lagos warns residents of extreme heat, urges precautionary measures – EnviroNews
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The Lagos State Government has urged residents to take precautionary measures against possible extreme heat and associated health risks.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the advisory in a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Kunle Adeshina, on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Lagos.
Wahab said the strengthening El Nino climate pattern and transition into the dry season could contribute to unusual temperatures, dry spells, dust and deteriorating air quality.
He, however, noted that the intensity and local impact of these conditions would depend on prevailing weather patterns.
The commissioner said Lagos’ dense population, rapid urbanisation and concentration of heat-absorbing infrastructure could increase residents’ exposure to extreme heat.
He explained that buildings, roads, limited green spaces and inadequate ventilation could intensify temperatures in densely populated neighbourhoods.
Wahab warned that prolonged exposure to excessive heat could cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, with potentially serious health consequences.
He identified children, older persons, pregnant women, outdoor workers, street traders, construction workers and waste handlers as particularly vulnerable.
He added that people with underlying health conditions were also at increased risk.
The commissioner urged families, employers, schools and community leaders to pay special attention to vulnerable groups and provide appropriate protection.
He warned that extreme heat could worsen existing air-quality challenges, particularly during the dry season when dust and haze might increase.
He said increased reliance on petrol and diesel-powered generators during power interruptions could further aggravate local air pollution.
Wahab advised residents to avoid open burning of refuse and adopt environmentally responsible practices to reduce pollution.
He urged residents to drink sufficient water, wear lightweight clothing, seek shaded and ventilated spaces, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat periods.
He also called on schools, markets, workplaces and public facilities to provide adequate ventilation, drinking water and shaded areas.
The commissioner advised residents to watch for symptoms of heat-related illnesses, including excessive sweating, dizziness, headaches, weakness, nausea and muscle cramps.
He said affected persons should be moved to cooler environments, given appropriate cooling assistance and taken for medical attention where necessary.
Wahab warned that sudden collapse or loss of consciousness should be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
He also advised people with respiratory conditions to limit exposure to dusty environments and follow relevant health and air-quality advisories.
The commissioner called for collaboration among government agencies, health institutions, environmental experts, businesses and community stakeholders to strengthen preparedness.
He urged residents and businesses to protect existing trees, promote tree planting, preserve green spaces and ensure proper waste disposal.
Wahab said the ministry would continue public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement to address emerging environmental risks.
He added that the ministry would collaborate with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
According to him, the collaboration will strengthen preparedness and response to potential heat-related challenges.
Meanwhile, rising temperatures in Lagos have boosted demand for cold sachet water, bottled water and soft drinks, with traders reporting increased sales.
From Ikeja to Ogba, Costain, Apongbon, Ebutero and Ajegunle, traders say customers are increasingly seeking chilled beverages to cope with the heat.
Interviews reveal how the hot weather is changing drinking habits, boosting businesses and increasing concerns about plastic waste.
Mrs. Bola Ahmed, a shop owner around Computer Village, Ikeja, said her daily sachet water sales had risen from two or three bags to about 15.
Ahmed said sales of bottled water had also doubled, from five to at least 10 packs daily, since the hot weather began.
“I used to sell two sachet water for N50, but it is now three for N100.
“I thank God that I sell around a busy area and I have constant light. Cold water sells like hot cake during this weather,” she said.
She, however, said she was unaware of how customers disposed of the plastic packaging after purchasing the water.
Similarly, Mr. John Amah, a restaurant owner at Nationwide, Ogba, said the heat had created an additional source of income through increased demand for chilled water.
Amah said customers who bought food increasingly requested extra water, prompting him to increase his stock.
“Since the weather became so hot, people request extra water because my water is always chilled to mortuary standards.
“So, I stock more water and make extra gain from there,” he said.
He said a woman regularly visited his restaurant to collect empty plastic bottles, which he gave her because he had no use for them.
At Ebutero Market, a trader, Mrs. Ngozi Kelvin, said demand for soft drinks, sachet water and other beverages had increased considerably.
Kelvin said unreliable electricity supply had compelled her to buy ice blocks to keep drinks chilled for customers.
Another trader at the market, Mrs. Chioma Ngozi, said increased sales had not necessarily translated into higher profits because of rising fuel and generator maintenance costs.
“The power supply is very unreliable, so I have to rely heavily on generators. Fuel prices are high, and whenever fuel costs go up, it eats into my profits,” she said.
An anonymous trader at Ebutero Market said using a solar-powered refrigerator had helped reduce operating costs and improve profits.
At Costain, Mr. Clement Okpara, a beverage seller on Oroku Street, said increased demand for soft drinks and bottled water had necessitated more frequent stock replenishment.
Okpara said he received 35 packs of bottled water on Monday and had sold all the bottles by Friday.
Similarly, Mrs. Oluwafunke Ajiyo, a drink hawker who sourced supplies from Apongbon Market, said her daily bottled water sales had increased from one pack to between three and eight.
Ajiyo said she made about N400 profit per pack, depending on sales.
For consumers, the rising temperatures have also meant spending more on water and adjusting their usual drinking habits.
Miss Eminsule Goodness, a Costain resident, said the heat had increased her consumption of sachet water and cold drinks.
Goodness said five bags of sachet water, previously sold for N1,000, now cost N1,500, adding to her daily expenses.
She said she reused bottled water containers by refilling them for personal use and sold excess plastics for recycling.
Mr. Francis Anyanwu, a civil engineer working in Ijora, Apapa, said he and his colleagues had replaced their usual morning coffee with cold water and soft drinks.
Anyanwu said a pack of bottled water that previously sold for N1,500 now cost N1,800, although the increase had not discouraged his consumption.
Another consumer, Miss Chiamaka Aguse, a resident of Isheri Osun, Ikotun, said she consumed about six sachets of water daily because of the heat.
Aguse said she spent about N200 daily on sachet water, which sold at three sachets for N100.
She said she disposed of used sachets in a waste bin, adding that her personal waste bin was now emptied every three days instead of six.
Miss Divine-Favour Johnson, a Lagos State University student, said she consumed more water during hot weather but preferred carrying reusable bottles from home.
Johnson said her household separated plastics, paper and organic waste for recycling, limiting the additional plastic waste generated by increased water consumption.
While the heat has created opportunities for beverage traders, it has also increased household spending and highlighted the need for responsible plastic waste disposal.
The accounts of traders and consumers show how rising temperatures are influencing everyday choices, from business operations and spending habits to water consumption and waste management.
By Uchechi Afonne, Esther Nwabueze and Mariam Hassan
