Breathing is becoming harder—and climate change may be to blame.

Across Nigeria, more people—especially children—are being diagnosed with asthma. While air pollution and genetics have always played a role, experts now believe that climate change is making things worse. Rising temperatures, shifting seasons, and extreme weather are all affecting the quality of the air we breathe.

Let’s break down how this is happening.

1. Dust, Heat, and Dirty Air

When temperatures rise and the air becomes dry, it creates the perfect condition for pollution to build up, especially in busy cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt. More dust during harmattan, more smoke from vehicles and generators, and more heat all mix together to form dirty air that makes it harder for people with asthma to breathe.

A study in Enugu found that higher levels of airborne particulate matter were linked to increased respiratory issues, especially during the dry season 1.

2. Longer Pollen Seasons and Allergies

As Nigeria gets warmer and the rains shift, plants start releasing pollen earlier and for longer periods. That’s bad news for people with asthma, because pollen is a common trigger. Climate change is also causing some plants to grow in new places, bringing new allergens to areas that weren’t affected before 2.

3. Flooding and Mold

Heavier rains and frequent floods—made worse by climate change—can lead to mold growth inside homes, schools, and clinics. Mold spores are another big trigger for asthma, especially in children and the elderly.

Indoor environments with poor ventilation and high humidity levels during the rainy season were found to significantly increase exposure to allergens and air pollutants 3.

4. Fast Urban Growth and Fossil Fuels mean Trouble

Many Nigerian cities are growing quickly, but this often means more cars, more diesel generators, and more people using firewood or charcoal to cook. These activities release smoke and harmful gases, polluting the air both indoors and outdoors. And when you combine this with heatwaves or droughts caused by climate change, people living in cities are at greater risk of breathing problems 2.

 

What can be done?

Tackling this issue requires teamwork—from government leaders to everyday citizens. Here are some ways we can start:

·        Plant more trees and protect green spaces in our cities

·        Switch to cleaner energy for cooking and electricity

·        Educate communities about asthma triggers and how to reduce them

·        Improve air quality monitoring to track pollution hotspots

·        Design buildings and cities to be healthier and more climate-friendly

Final thoughts

Climate change is no longer just about rising seas or melting ice caps. It's here in Nigeria, and it’s affecting our health—especially our lungs. Asthma is on the rise, and unless we act now, more people could suffer from this preventable and manageable condition.

We need to build a future where everyone can breathe easy.

 

References

1.      Ibeneme, S. C., Ativie, R. N., Ibeneme, G. C., Myezwa, H., Ezuma, A. D., Nnamani, A., Ezeofor, S., Nwankwo, M. J., Ettu, T. U., Nwosu, A. O., Okoye, I. J., & Fortwengel, G. (2022). Evidence of seasonal changes in airborne particulate matter concentration and occupation-specific variations in pulmonary function and haematological parameters among some workers in Enugu Southeast Nigeria: A randomized cross-sectional observational study. Archives of Public Health, 80(1), 196. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-022-00967-3

2.      Niyi-Odumosu, F., Ozoh, O. B., Ope, V. O., Ale, B. M., Akinnola, O., Iseolorunkanmi, A., & Adeloye, D. (2025). Exploring the impact of climate change on respiratory health in Nigeria: A scoping review of current research, government policies and programs. Climatic Change, 178(3), Article 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-025-03880-0

3.      Basil, A.-A. M., Okwuosa, C. C., Uzuegbuanam, F. O., & Ugwu, L. E. (2024). A seasonal investigation of indoor air quality in relation to architectural features in government office buildings in Enugu, Nigeria. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 26885. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78160-5