By Ikenna Obianeri
Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has called on Nigerians to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the health risks associated with the worsening heat wave across the country.
Soludo, who is the founder of the non-governmental organisation Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, particularly urged relevant authorities to pay close attention to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, infants, and people living with hypertension, diabetes, and kidney-related conditions.
She noted that these groups may face greater health risks as temperatures continue to rise.
According to a report by the Climate Impact Lab, Nigeria could record an estimated 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027 if the unusually strong El Niño weather pattern continues to intensify.
The projection places Nigeria among the countries expected to experience some of the highest numbers of additional heat-related deaths globally during the six-month period. The report estimates that almost half of the 66,800 heat-related deaths projected across the Sahel region could occur in Nigeria.
The report, published on September 22, 2026, and titled “451,000 at Risk: Where Action Can Save Lives During the Super El Niño,” further projects that about 451,000 additional heat-related deaths could occur globally between June 2026 and February 2027 compared with a normal year.
