Nigeria

Nigeria Weather in May

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

Planning a trip to Nigeria this May? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Nigeria in May

Nigeria offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In May, one might encounter temperatures that range from very warm to very hot, and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very warm in Moba at 30°C (86°F) to very hot in Maiduguri at 40°C (104°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 27°C (81°F) in Maiduguri and 26°C (79°F) in Moba. 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.

For a closer look at conditions across Nigeria, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Maiduguri with an average of 21 mm (0.8 in) to heavy rainfall in Port Harcourt with 296 mm (12 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is fairly consistent across many areas. Lagos receives about 177 hours of sunlight in May, providing a good balance between sunny spells and cloud cover. If you're after more sunshine hours, take a look at our weather planner for other sun-rich destinations worldwide.

Explore Nigeria by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Nigeria — and find the best time to visit. (based on Lagos)

Best Places to Visit in Nigeria in May

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 May for some of the most popular destinations in Nigeria?

Temperature range in Nigeria (May)

Precipitation variation in Nigeria (May)

Lagos

In May Lagos generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
27°C (81°F)
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
181 hours
177 hours
115 hours
Monthly rainfall
137 mm (5.4 in)
218 mm (8.6 in)
313 mm (12 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
13 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Ikeja

In May Ikeja generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
181 hours
177 hours
115 hours
Monthly rainfall
145 mm (5.7 in)
223 mm (8.8 in)
288 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
13 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Abuja

In May Abuja generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 23°C (73°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
35°C (95°F)
32°C (90°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
23°C (73°F)
22°C (72°F)
Monthly rainfall
61 mm (2.4 in)
142 mm (5.6 in)
214 mm (8.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
10 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Jabi

In May Jabi generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
35°C (95°F)
32°C (90°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
22°C (72°F)
Monthly rainfall
61 mm (2.4 in)
144 mm (5.7 in)
219 mm (8.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
10 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Moba

In May Moba generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 26°C (79°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
31°C (88°F)
30°C (86°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
27°C (81°F)
26°C (79°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
181 hours
177 hours
115 hours
Monthly rainfall
141 mm (5.6 in)
224 mm (8.8 in)
321 mm (13 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
13 days
16 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in May

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Lagos 30°C (86°F) 26°C (79°F) 218 mm (8.6 in)
Ikeja 31°C (88°F) 25°C (77°F) 223 mm (8.8 in)
Abuja 32°C (90°F) 23°C (73°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Ibadan 32°C (90°F) 24°C (75°F) 178 mm (7 in)
Port Harcourt 32°C (90°F) 24°C (75°F) 296 mm (12 in)
Kano 39°C (102°F) 26°C (79°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)

Nigeria weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nigeria in May?

Expect poor weather across Nigeria in May. The popular destination of Lagos averages 30°C (86°F) by day and 26°C (79°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Nigeria in May?

Average temperatures in Nigeria during May range from a nighttime low near 26°C (79°F) to a daytime high around 30°C (86°F) in Lagos.

Does Nigeria get a lot of rain in May?

Yes. May brings heavy rainfall to Nigeria, with Lagos averaging around 218 mm (8.6 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Nigeria?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Lagos, May may not be the ideal time to visit Nigeria.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in August offering mostly pleasant weather in Lagos. On the other hand, the weather in May and June tend to be poor.

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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