A former Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kaduna State, Dr Sheyin Madaki, has urged Nigerians to take precautions against extreme temperatures, including drinking water regularly and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
Madaki gave the advice in an interview with the media following projections of unusually high temperatures in Nigeria between now and February 2027.
He warned that the anticipated heatwave could increase cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly among children and older persons.
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The medical expert advised Nigerians to limit outdoor activities during periods of intense heat, avoid strenuous physical exertion under direct sunlight and seek shade or cooler environments whenever possible.
He stressed the importance of drinking water regularly, even before feeling thirsty.
“Let us not wait until we are thirsty before we drink water. By the time you start feeling thirsty, it means some form of dehydration is already going on,” he said.
Madaki identified excessive sweating, headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea as possible signs of dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.
He cautioned against dismissing such symptoms as malaria or typhoid, urging anyone experiencing them to move to a cooler environment, drink water if fully conscious and able to swallow safely, and seek medical attention if the symptoms persisted or worsened.
According to him, severe dehydration could progress to heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate its temperature.
He emphasised that heatstroke requires urgent medical attention and immediate cooling measures, warning against attempting to manage severe symptoms at home.
The expert also urged families to protect children and older persons from excessive heat by ensuring they have access to drinking water and well-ventilated, cooler environments.
Madaki further noted that extreme weather conditions could increase the risk of certain infections, including meningitis, and called for vigilance among individuals and health authorities.
He, however, advised Nigerians not to panic, explaining that the heat forecast did not necessarily mean an epidemic was imminent.
He said heat-related illnesses and deaths could be reduced through preventive measures, early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical intervention.
The warning follows projections by the Climate Impact Lab that Nigeria could record an estimated 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027, compared with a normal year, amid expectations of an unusually strong El Niño weather pattern.
 in Kaduna State, Dr Sheyin David Madaki, has urged Nigerians to take precautions against extreme temperatures, including drinking water regularly and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.){kind=link}