El Niño: What it means and how Nigerians should prepare

By Sekinat Osundiji
Nigeria may experience increased heat and changing rainfall patterns as a strengthening El Niño event raises concerns about its potential effects on agriculture, water supply, electricity generation and public health.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said in September 2026 that El Niño was expected to strengthen into a very strong event and persist into early 2027. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has also warned that the phenomenon could affect rainfall patterns, including the length of the rainy season and when it ends.
But what is El Niño, how could it affect Nigeria, and what can the country do to prepare?
What is El Niño?
El Niño is ...