Climate overview of Nigeria
Inland there are two different seasons. A wet season from April to October, with lower monthly temperatures and the wettest month being August. The dry season runs from November to March, with midday temperatures that rise above 38°C (100°F) but relatively cool nights, dropping as low as 12°C (54°F).
Average rainfall along the coast varies from about 1800 mm (71 in) in the west to about 4300 mm (169 in) in certain parts of the east. Inland, it decreases to around 1300 mm (51 in) over most of central Nigeria and only 500 mm (20 in) in the extreme north.
The hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara sweeps across the northeastern areas which. The Harmattan wind is hot and dry and carries a reddish dust from the desert. The south-west wind brings cloudy and rainy weather.
Popular cities by month
Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.
Lagos
Ikeja
Abuja
Ibadan
Port Harcourt
Kano
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)
Climate map
Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.
Avg day temp (°C)
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32°
Compare popular cities
Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.
| Lagos | 28°C (82°F) – 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) – 27°C (81°F) | 1729 mm (68 in) | 1,856 hours |
| Ikeja | 28°C (82°F) – 33°C (91°F) | 23°C (73°F) – 26°C (79°F) | 1748 mm (69 in) | 1,856 hours |
| Abuja | 28°C (82°F) – 37°C (99°F) | 21°C (70°F) – 25°C (77°F) | 1513 mm (60 in) | — |
| Ibadan | 29°C (84°F) – 35°C (95°F) | 22°C (72°F) – 24°C (75°F) | 1505 mm (59 in) | 1,962 hours |
| Port Harcourt | 29°C (84°F) – 34°C (93°F) | 23°C (73°F) – 25°C (77°F) | 2808 mm (111 in) | 1,381 hours |
| Kano | 30°C (86°F) – 40°C (104°F) | 13°C (55°F) – 26°C (79°F) | 662 mm (26 in) | 2,955 hours |
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Nigeria?
The warmest month in Maiduguri is April, with daytime highs of 41°C (106°F). Maiduguri is the sunniest destination, with 285 hours of sunshine in October. Nigeria has a distinct dry season from October to June. Explore Nigeria weather by month for a detailed breakdown.
What temperatures can I expect in Nigeria?
Maiduguri is the warmest destination, reaching 41°C (106°F) in April with nights around 27°C (81°F). Ogoyo is the coolest, with August daytime highs of just 27°C (81°F) and nights dropping to 24°C (75°F). See the city comparison for a full overview.
How much rain does Nigeria get?
Rainfall varies across Nigeria. Port Harcourt is the wettest, receiving 2808 mm (111 in) per year, with June the wettest month at 364 mm (14 in). Kano is the driest at 662 mm (26 in) per year. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.
How sunny is Nigeria?
Maiduguri is the sunniest destination in Nigeria, enjoying 3,013 hours of sunshine per year, with October the brightest month at 285 hours. Overall, Nigeria enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.
What is the climate like across Nigeria?
Lagos has very warm summers reaching 31°C (88°F) in February and warm winters dropping to 28°C (82°F), with 1,856 hours of sunshine and 1729 mm (68 in) of rain per year. Ikeja has very warm summers reaching 33°C (91°F) in February and warm winters dropping to 28°C (82°F), with 1,856 hours of sunshine and 1748 mm (69 in) of rain per year. Abuja has very hot summers reaching 37°C (99°F) in March and warm winters dropping to 28°C (82°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 1513 mm (60 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.
Places in Nigeria
Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.
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