Kano residents decry heatwave, erratic power as businesses struggle

Kano State is currently grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, a phenomenon that residents describe as one of the most intense and prolonged in recent memory. This extreme weather is not merely an inconvenience; it is actively disrupting daily life and severely impacting the socio-economic fabric of the state. Compounding the discomfort is the erratic electricity supply, a persistent issue that leaves residents sweltering through unbearable temperatures with little respite. The combination of intense heat and frequent power outages is creating a challenging environment for everyone, from households to businesses.

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This year, there was no extreme cold weather at all, even during the cold season. After Ramadan, the kind of heat we’ve experienced in Kano is like nothing I’ve seen since I moved here.

Residents recount harrowing experiences, with many struggling to cope with the oppressive heat. Mrs. Rekiya Aliyu notes that the heat began earlier than usual this year and has been relentless, forcing her to constantly use water to cool down, even finding the bathroom water becoming hot. The impact on daily activities is profound, leading to fatigue, weakness, and health issues like heat rashes, particularly among children, as described by Mrs. Salma Usman. For those engaged in physical labor, like bricklayer Mr. Yusufa Abdullahi, the lack of sleep due to the heat directly translates into reduced productivity, creating a vicious cycle of discomfort and economic hardship.

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I keep pouring water on my body from morning till night to cool down. Even the water in the bathroom gets hot on its own.

Small-scale businesses are bearing a significant brunt of this crisis. Mrs. Matilda Udo, who produces natural drinks, faces mounting costs for ice blocks to keep her products cold, often consuming her entire profit margin. Miss Sarah King, a fashion designer, finds her productivity slowed by the heat, forcing her to take breaks and impacting her ability to serve customers efficiently. The reliance on generators, a common alternative to the unreliable power supply, further strains finances, with daily fuel costs reportedly exceeding ₦7,000. This situation highlights the vulnerability of small businesses to infrastructural deficiencies, especially when combined with adverse environmental conditions.

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The heat is seriously affecting our activities. In the afternoon, we are tired, sweating and weak. My children have heat rashes and keep crying because of the heat.

From a Nigerian perspective, the convergence of a severe heatwave and unreliable power supply is a stark reminder of the nation's ongoing developmental challenges. While international coverage might focus on the environmental aspect of the heatwave, local reporting emphasizes the intertwined issues of infrastructure and economic impact. The appeal to the Federal Government and electricity providers for improved power supply is a plea for basic services that are essential for economic activity and the well-being of citizens. This story is particularly resonant in Kano, a major economic hub in Northern Nigeria, where such hardships directly affect livelihoods and underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions to both climate adaptation and infrastructure development.

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The weather is very serious. We can’t even sleep at night. If you don’t sleep, you can’t work well. Even in the morning, I feel tired and dizzy at work.