Nigeria

Nigeria Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Nigeria in December.

Thinking about venturing to Nigeria this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Nigeria in December

December in Nigeria generally has temperatures that range from very warm to very hot, with precipitation levels ranging from almost none to moderate.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very warm in Lekki at 31°C (88°F) to very hot in Ibi at 36°C (97°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 22°C (72°F) in Ibi and 26°C (79°F) in Lekki. The temperatures cited for both day and night represent usual averages, but it's possible some days could be hotter. It's advisable to dress accordingly to handle the heat.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Nigeria, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no rainfall in Kano with an average of 0 mm (0 in) to moderate rainfall in Port Harcourt with 60 mm (2.4 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in December. Lagos typically receives 193 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Nigeria by month

Best Places to Visit in Nigeria in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Nigeria.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Nigeria

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Nigeria?

Temperature range in Nigeria (December)

Precipitation variation in Nigeria (December)

Lagos

In December Lagos generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
188 hours
193 hours
163 hours
Monthly rainfall
85 mm (3.3 in)
40 mm (1.6 in)
37 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Ikeja

In December Ikeja generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
188 hours
193 hours
163 hours
Monthly rainfall
91 mm (3.6 in)
39 mm (1.5 in)
37 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
2 days
a single day
Weather conditions

Abuja

In December Abuja generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 35°C (95°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
34°C (93°F)
35°C (95°F)
35°C (95°F)
Min temperature
22°C (72°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly rainfall
10 mm (0.4 in)
1.4 mm (0.1 in)
2.1 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
0 days
0 days
0 days
Weather conditions

Jabi

In December Jabi generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 35°C (95°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 21°C (70°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
34°C (93°F)
35°C (95°F)
35°C (95°F)
Min temperature
22°C (72°F)
21°C (70°F)
21°C (70°F)
Monthly rainfall
12 mm (0.5 in)
1.5 mm (0.1 in)
2.2 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
0 days
0 days
0 days
Weather conditions

Moba

In December Moba generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
188 hours
193 hours
163 hours
Monthly rainfall
86 mm (3.4 in)
41 mm (1.6 in)
37 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
2 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Nigeria.

In our records: Nigeria December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in Nigeria in our climate database (1997 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest December night in Nigeria dropped to 5°C (41°F) in Kano on December 26, 2014.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Nigeria in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Lagos 31°C (88°F) 26°C (79°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Ikeja 32°C (90°F) 25°C (77°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Abuja 35°C (95°F) 21°C (70°F) 1.4 mm (0.1 in)
Ibadan 34°C (93°F) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Port Harcourt 33°C (91°F) 24°C (75°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Kano 31°C (88°F) 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in)

Nigeria weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nigeria in December?

December in Nigeria brings tolerable weather. In Lagos, daytime temperatures are typically around 31°C (88°F) and nighttime lows hover near 26°C (79°F).

What is the average temperature in Nigeria in December?

Lagos averages a daytime maximum of 31°C (88°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 26°C (79°F).

Does Nigeria get a lot of rain in December?

Not particularly. Lagos averages just 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain in December, making it a mostly dry month for Nigeria.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Nigeria?

Given the typically pleasant weather conditions in Lagos, December might be a good time to visit Nigeria.

On average, the best time to visit Nigeria is in August with generally pleasant weather in Lagos. In contrast, May and June tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nigeria.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Nigeria? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Nigeria.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.