Northern Nigeria universities battle climate extremes

For the past few weeks, scorching temperatures reaching 40°C and higher have rendered classrooms stifling, libraries unbearable and outdoor activities unthinkable for students across Northern Nigeria.

At the University of Maiduguri in the north-east, where temperatures have soared beyond 45°C, Fatima Ali, a third-year economics student, has been struggling to concentrate during her lectures.

“It’s been a constant battle. Since we resumed this semester in January, every day feels like an uphill struggle against the scorching sun and the suffocating heat. Most of our classes and hostels are extremely hot. It’s hard to read. I know my educational performance has been suffering … but I feel powerless to change it,” Ali told University World News.

In 2023 there were also heatwaves. Fatima fell ill several times. “It felt like my body was betraying me, succumbing to the unforgiving climate that surrounded us,” she said.

An ongoing issue

Research shows that extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change are increasingly common and severe, posing significant risks to health and safety globally. These heatwaves, the primary cause of weather-related fatalities and health issues worldwide, often lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat rash and heat cramps.

Furthermore, they exacerbate health conditions, particularly in individuals with cardiovascular and respiratory ailments.

Additionally, climate change is elevating average humidity levels worldwide. Hot and humid days not only feel uncomfortable, but also present greater health risks. Since the body cools itself through sweating, high humidity impedes sweat evaporation, leading to further overheating and potentially fatal heat stroke, especially for those unable to access cooler environments, according to experts.

In Nigeria, especially in the northern part, rain used to fall from June to September, ranging from 500mm to 750mm a few years ago. Now, it lasts for only about five weeks each year, leaving the rest of the year hot and dry. According to research from the World Bank on climate change, the northern regions have become significantly warmer.

A recent report from the World Bank showed that, over the past 20 years, the average yearly temperature in the greater north area, especially the north-west region, experiences 29°C. It can spike up to 33°C in May and drop to its lowest in January. In February, the meteorological agency (NiMET) reported that temperatures have soared to extreme levels, reaching 41°C in the northern region and 39°C in the south – and it was expected to persist.

Ali’s experience is a shared reality for many. In a 2017 study in Borno state, Nigeria’s north-east, where her school is located, 74.1% of students noted that high temperatures, caused by climate change, affect their academic performance. Interestingly, respondents from both the north and south regions expressed similar concerns.

Similarly, a 2021 study from Kaduna state in Nigeria’s north-west yielded comparable findings. It revealed that extreme heat weather, including high temperatures caused by climate change, significantly hampers learning.

In a survey conducted as part of the report, the majority of students advocated for a redesigned academic calendar to avoid peak periods of rainfall, Harmattan, and hot, dry seasons, particularly in August (92.9%), January (87.1%), and April (85.1%).

Solutions

Hassan Taiwo Soweto, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), said the oppressive heat could undermine students’ ability to concentrate during lectures and study sessions, posing formidable obstacles to their educational advancement. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the health risks of prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Educational institutions should adopt short-period and long-period solutions to mitigate the impact of extreme weather. “Immediate measures may include providing shaded areas, access to cold water, and flexible scheduling during peak heat hours,” he suggested.

He also emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in developing effective strategies. “Collaboration with government agencies, meteorologists and health experts is essential. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise, universities can implement comprehensive policies and infrastructure improvements to safeguard student welfare such as limiting the numbers of students in each classroom, making provision for fans as well as air conditioners in the classes.”

Soweto stressed that universities must prioritise heatwave preparedness through policies, training and resource access, stating that these measures are essential for ensuring the safety and health of everyone on campus during periods of extreme heat. By implementing comprehensive strategies, universities can effectively mitigate the risks associated with heatwaves and better protect their community members.

Student views

For Khadija Abdullahi, a second-year student pursuing mass communication at the University of Maiduguri, the impact of the heatwave extends beyond the present. She narrated how the heat affected her. She fell ill, which made her fail four courses, which she had to repeat.

“Last year, during the heatwave peak, I fell ill multiple times during the examination period. As I was admitted to the school clinic, there wasn’t stable electricity there, which worsened the situation, and I couldn’t read,” she told University World News.

Although she had managed to pass the courses she failed last year, she said that, since February, when the heat started, she and other students have been living uncomfortable lives in the school hostel. They can’t stay in the classes to read because of the lack of fans, which makes the issue worse.

“I know that this heat period isn’t good for my health, and there is nothing I can do about it ... I will make sure it won’t affect my academics this time as it has in the past. I will force myself and read, despite the suffocating situation,” she told University World News.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Ibrahim, a final-year computer science student at Nasarawa State University, said the heatwave made it impossible for him to study effectively when he was a third-year during a heatwave in 2022.

“When I was in my third year, the heat affected me, and it was during the examination period. There was no conducive place to read. Even in our library, almost all the seats used to be occupied when they were on the generator, and it lasted for a short period of time,” he said.

Ibrahim added that, even in his hostel, he is constantly drenched in sweat, and it’s hard to stay motivated. “Since it started again this year, the experience of heat on campus has been so bad, and it’s not allowing me to read in classes because everywhere is hot.”

Medical advice

Dr Olabintan Odunola, the team leader of Health City, a non-profit organisation, highlighted the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to extreme heat, emphasising the critical need for timely relief and hydration.

Heat-related illnesses, ranging from heat rash to heat cramps, exhaustion and potentially fatal heat stroke, are health threats during heatwaves, she said.

Furthermore, Odunola underscored the challenges faced by students in universities across northern Nigeria, which are not geared to support students when there is extreme heat.

Particularly vulnerable groups, including those with pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, face heightened risks due to extreme heat exposure and medication interactions.

Addressing mitigation strategies, Odunola stressed the importance of informing and educating students about heat-related illnesses, preventive measures and recognising symptoms. Dedicated university centres can disseminate vital information while leveraging technology, such as online classes offering alternatives during extreme heat periods.

Odunola advocated for improved infrastructure, including cooling centres and subsidised water access, to prioritise students’ comfort and well-being. Universities should also collaborate with healthcare providers to enhance training and facilities for managing health-related illnesses, ensuring timely intervention and support during heatwave episodes.

She urged proactive measures to mitigate heatwave risks, emphasising the critical role of health education, access to resources, and leveraging technology to minimise students’ exposure to extreme heat and safeguard their health and academic pursuits.