High temperatures in Abuja Metropolis have significant socio-environmental and health impacts, particularly in densely populated urban areas. Daytime heat waves deprive residents of nighttime relief, with the elderly, infants, children, and people with chronic diseases being the most vulnerable. Anthropogenic activities, including vehicular emissions and industrial fuel combustion, contribute to elevated urban temperatures by trapping pollutants near the ground, aggravating respiratory health issues, and increasing energy consumption due to higher cooling demands. Urban heat islands (UHI) further exacerbate environmental stress by reducing air and water quality and impacting local ecosystems. Additionally, the replacement of natural land cover with high-rise buildings, roads, and paved surfaces amplifies heat retention, raising energy costs and increasing heat-related illness and mortality. Understanding these dynamics is essential for urban planning, public health interventions, and climate adaptation strategies in rapidly growing cities like Abuja.
Chinedu Michael Okafor (Tue,) studied this question.