In the heart of Maiduguri, the sun no longer feels like a routine part of daily life it has become a force that shapes how people live, work, and even sleep.
By late morning, the heat settles heavily over the city. Roads that are usually busy begin to thin as residents search for shade. For those whose livelihoods depend on being outdoors, however, there is little choice but to endure.
Mala, a bricklayer, wipes sweat from his face as he pauses briefly from work.
“There is heat actually, but mostly we take a lot of water to keep ourselves hydrated. After working under the sun, I rest for one to two hours and take a shower. When I reach home at night, I also drink plenty of cold water for my health.”
For workers like him, hydration has become a survival strategy rather than a simple health habit.
WORKING THROUGH THE HEAT
Commercial tricycle riders popularly known as keke napep operators face similar struggles. Abba Ahmad, who navigates the city daily, describes the challenge:
“We usually take cold water we get at many junctions around the city, but honestly, the work is hard for us. Even at night, we try to continue working, while taking plenty of water during the day.”
Despite the exhaustion, many continue working longer hours just to make ends meet, often exposing themselves to prolonged heat stress.
FAMILIES BATTLING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
At home, the story is no different. For many families, especially those without stable electricity, the heat becomes unbearable at night.
Fatima Hassan, a mother, shares her daily struggle:
“I struggle with my children during the hot weather bathing them one after another and fanning them with a hand fan just to make them comfortable until they sleep. Electricity is not stable until daybreak.”
Her experience reflects a broader reality in Maiduguri, where power outages worsen the impact of rising temperatures, leaving families to rely on manual ways to stay cool.
THE ELDERLY: ENSURING IN SILENCE
For older residents, the heat brings an added layer of vulnerability.
Muhammad Qasim, a 56-year-old resident, speaks calmly but with visible strain:
“Alhamdulillah, life is quite different now because of our age. We have no option but to accept the will of God. We struggle with the heat day and night. At night, I keep changing position, take a lot of water, and bathe before going to bed.”
His words capture both resilience and quiet hardship an acceptance shaped by age, but not without discomfort.
HEALTH RISKS ON THE RISE
Health experts warn that these daily experiences are more than just discomfort they are signs of a growing public health concern.
Abdulrahman Tahir, a health practitioner, explains:
“Maiduguri is known for its intense heat. Many people suffer illnesses like malaria, dehydration, respiratory problems, and even food poisoning. Some sleep without mosquito nets, others work under the sun without enough water, while many stay in dusty environments or eat unhealthy food.”
According to him, the combination of extreme heat, poor sanitation, and economic pressure is increasing health risks across the city.
He advises:
“People should avoid dirty environments that attract mosquitoes, sleep under nets, use insecticides, drink plenty of water day and night, and maintain proper hygiene, including washing hands and eating clean food.”
A FORECAST OF MORE HEAT
Weather patterns suggest that residents of Maiduguri may need to brace for even tougher conditions. During peak dry seasons, daytime temperatures in the city often rise above 40°C, with hot winds and dry air intensifying the discomfort. Nights, once a time for relief, are increasingly warm making rest difficult for many households.
Climate experts link these rising temperatures to broader environmental changes, warning that heat waves could become more frequent and prolonged in the region.
ADAPTING TO A HOTTER REALITY
Across Maiduguri, people are adapting in the ways they can drinking more water, reducing outdoor activity when possible, and finding creative ways to cope with limited resources.
Yet, the stories of Mala, Abba, Fatima, and Muhammad reveal a deeper truth: behind every heat wave statistic are real people adjusting their lives daily to survive.
As the city continues to warm, the need for public awareness, better infrastructure, and stronger health interventions becomes increasingly urgent
For now, in Maiduguri, each day begins and ends with the same challenge finding ways to live under an unrelenting sun.
