Nigeria is set to experience deteriorating weather conditions over a three-day period as dust haze and isolated thunderstorms spread across multiple regions, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

In its latest weather outlook released in Abuja, NiMet warned that dusty atmospheric conditions will dominate much of the country from Sunday through Tuesday, raising concerns over air quality, public health, road safety, and aviation operations.

The agency said the situation is expected to be most severe in the northern and central regions, where suspended dust particles will significantly reduce visibility and intensify respiratory risks.

Dust Haze to Intensify in the North and Central States

NiMet forecast moderate dust haze across northern states on Monday and Tuesday, with conditions expected to worsen by midweek. By Wednesday, thick dust haze is projected to blanket much of the region, potentially disrupting daily activities and transport movement.

The central region is also expected to experience persistent dusty conditions throughout the forecast period. NiMet noted that dust haze levels in the region will range from moderate to thick, limiting visibility and reducing air quality in major cities.

Southern Inland Cities Affected, Coastal Areas Face Storm Risk

In the southern region, inland cities are expected to record moderate dust haze, while coastal areas will experience relatively clearer conditions marked by sunshine and cloud patches.

However, NiMet cautioned that coastal states may witness unsettled weather later in the day, with isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall expected in parts of Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.

The agency said the combination of dust haze and intermittent rainfall could further reduce visibility in affected areas.

Health, Transport, and Aviation Concerns

NiMet explained that high concentrations of airborne dust particles pose serious health risks, particularly for people with asthma, respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular issues.

Children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions were advised to limit outdoor exposure and take preventive measures such as wearing face coverings and staying hydrated.

Motorists were warned of poor visibility on highways, especially during early morning and late evening hours. Drivers were urged to reduce speed and exercise caution, particularly if rainfall coincides with dusty conditions.

For aviation operations, NiMet advised airline operators to rely on detailed, airport-specific weather briefings to avoid delays, diversions, or safety risks linked to low visibility.

Advisory Remains in Effect

NiMet said it will continue to monitor atmospheric conditions and issue updates as necessary, urging Nigerians to stay informed and adhere to safety advisories during the forecast period.

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As Lagos continues to grapple with environmental challenges linked to rapid urbanisation, residents across the state have raised alarm over the city’s deteriorating air quality largely caused by indiscriminate waste burning, vehicle emissions, and poor sanitation practices.

In separate interviews with our source, residents from Ikorodu to Alagbado described how fumes from refuse fires, exhaust pipes, and industrial discharges now hang constantly in the air, posing serious health risks and environmental hazards.

A civil servant in Ikorodu, Mrs Itunu Dada, said that most residents prefer to burn waste instead of engaging licensed waste collectors. “When you go outside, you see smoke everywhere.

It causes cough, chest pain, and irritation. Around the markets, heaps of refuse on road medians emit offensive odours. It’s terrible,” she said.

Dada urged the Lagos State Government to enforce stricter sanitation laws and increase the frequency of waste evacuation.

“Those clearing drains often leave waste piled up for weeks. When it rains, it all washes back into the drainage. We need a task force to stop illegal dumping and burning,” she added.

In Alimosho, Mrs Stella Lawrence, a teacher, said air pollution has become part of daily life. “Many commercial vehicles emit thick black fumes because they’re not roadworthy. Generator use also makes it worse. The government should phase out unfit vehicles and improve power supply to reduce generator dependence,” she said.

Similarly, Miss Chioma Ndukwe, a communications expert in Okota, said the air in densely populated areas like Oshodi has become unbearable.

“Walking through Oshodi Market feels like choking — between exhaust fumes, burning waste, and poor sanitation, breathing clean air is a struggle,” she noted.

Ndukwe called for stricter vehicle emission checks, industrial regulation, and better public sanitation. “Everyone deserves to breathe clean air in Lagos,” she said.

In Lekki, Mr Bruno Ajede, a businessman, said though the area is relatively cleaner, fumes from vehicles remain a major issue.

“Air pollution causes respiratory problems like asthma. It’s a serious public health threat,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Ajibola Ajayi, a marketer in Alagbado, said vehicular pollution in his community remains unchecked. “Many cars here emit heavy smoke, yet no one monitors them,” he complained.

Reacting, Mr Friday Oku, President of the Association of Wastepickers of Lagos, linked the problem to Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels.

“Our continued reliance on petrol and diesel is harming both health and the environment. We must embrace renewable energy and cleaner alternatives like CNG,” he said.

Oku criticised inconsistent government policies, including the recent ban on “cart pushers,” saying such actions worsen emissions. “Replacing carts with tricycles only adds to pollution. It shows poor policy direction,” he stated.

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said it remains committed to improving air quality under its Blue and Green Economy Initiative and Air Quality Monitoring Network.

The state has also deployed mobile sensors to monitor pollution levels and enforce compliance among industries and transport operators.

However, environmental advocates argue that without stronger law enforcement and public behavioural change, Lagos’ ambition for clean air will remain far from reality.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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Residents who once saw Abuja as an oasis of order are now caught in a daily struggle for comfort and survival. From the sweltering heat of the dry season to floods that overwhelm poorly planned neighborhoods, the city’s environmental failures are becoming too obvious to ignore.

What was once marketed as a city of modern design and climate resilience has evolved into a patchwork of hastily constructed estates, rising temperatures, and vanishing green spaces.

From Vision to Disarray
Conceived in the late 1970s to relieve pressure on overcrowded Lagos, Abuja was meticulously planned. The city’s original blueprint emphasized environmental protection, spatial order, and urban expansion aligned with ecological suitability.

But in the decades since, that vision has steadily eroded. According to town planners, vast tracts of green space have disappeared, while new constructions spring up without regard for zoning codes or sustainability.

“Abuja was designed to be a garden city,” said Nathaniel Atebije, a former president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. “Now, the trees are gone, and tiles are everywhere. It’s turning into a heat trap.”

The city’s green area, once projected to cover a third of its land, has dwindled though official figures dispute the extent. Meanwhile, Abuja’s population has ballooned from under a million in the 1990s to more than 4.2 million in 2025, straining infrastructure and public services.

A City on the Edge
Residents describe conditions that are growing increasingly unlivable: narrow roads choked with traffic, stagnant gutters, air pollution, and suffocating heat.

“I’ve lived in three districts in two years,” said Ibukun Adaramola, a schoolteacher who relocated from Akure. “Each time, it was either the heat, noise, or flooding that forced us out.”

In Gwagwalada, where she first settled, Adaramola said the midday sun was so intense she joked that the district “felt close to hell.”

Her eventual move to Wuye brought some relief, but at a cost. Rent is higher, and access to open space remains limited.

Climate and Chaos
Environmental officials admit the city is under strain. At a recent sustainability summit, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal warned that Abuja is facing serious environmental threats, including “frequent flooding, poor waste management, and rising greenhouse emissions.”

Those warnings are backed by climate experts, who note that urban heatwaves are intensifying globally and Abuja is no exception.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency recently warned that residents of Abuja and northern cities could face life-threatening heatwaves without protective measures.

Tiles, once favored for aesthetics, now contribute to the city’s overheating, replacing gardens and lawns with surfaces that retain heat. A law requiring tree planting in residential compounds exists, but enforcement is virtually nonexistent.

Developers Under Scrutiny
Real estate developers have also come under criticism for prioritizing profit over livability.

“We’re seeing buildings go up where two windows from different apartments almost touch,” said Akintoye Adeoye, President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria. “Many projects lack proper ventilation, setback, or even approval.”

Adeoye acknowledged that while the Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun removing illegal structures under Minister Nyesom Wike, enforcement remains inconsistent.

Some landlords argue they’re working within constraints set by estate developers and housing trends. Others shift responsibility to tenants who prioritize appearance over environmental functionality.

“It’s a shared failure,” Adeoye admitted. “The government looks the other way. Developers cut corners. And residents don’t demand better.”

The Master Plan in Jeopardy
Architect and urban planning consultant Bodunrin Oguntoye said the erosion of Abuja’s original design is a direct result of compromised governance.

“Developers often build without regard for climate or sustainability,” Oguntoye said. “Green zones are routinely rezoned for commercial or residential use. Informal settlements are expanding. We’ve lost control of the plan.”

These concerns are echoed by environmental advocates.

“The illegalities we see are not just planning failures they’re political,” said Philip Jakpor, head of the Renevlyn Development Initiative. “Powerful individuals acquire green zones and convert them into private properties. Meanwhile, the vulnerable are pushed to flood-prone outskirts.”

No Enforcers in Sight
Atebije, the town planner, believes the city’s problems are less about regulation and more about enforcement.

“We have the rules. But we don’t have the personnel, equipment, or political will to enforce them,” he said.

“Before development control teams arrive at illegal sites, the buildings are already completed. There aren’t enough vehicles or staff to monitor every district.”

Still, he insists that change is possible.

“If we are serious, if enforcement is impartial, we can reverse some of the damage. But it will require courage and no political compromises.”

A Warning for the Future
Abuja’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for rapidly growing cities across Africa. Without urgent policy reform and climate-sensitive urban planning, the future of Nigeria’s capital could resemble a permanent state of crisis.

For residents like Rita Agbo, the dream of Abuja remains just that a vision yet to be realised.

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