Ekiti Gov Warns Farmers to Prepare for Possible Extreme Hot Weather

(Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji. Photo by Ekiti State Government)
The Ekiti State Government is asking farmers and others in agriculture to get ready for weather changes linked to a strong El Niño.

The climate pattern is expected to build toward the end of 2026 and last into early 2027.

Permanent Secretary Dr Ebenezer Ojo made the call on Monday in a statement from Ado Ekiti.

He pointed to warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and international climate bodies.

El Niño is a natural warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific.

It can bring extreme heat, uneven rainfall, long dry spells or heavy rain in some places.

Ojo said El Niño does not automatically mean drought for Nigeria.

The real effect will depend on local weather and other factors.

He warned that crops and livestock could suffer from irregular rain, higher temperatures and drier soil.

He advised farmers to follow official forecasts and extension officers before changing their planting dates.

He also urged them to save water, protect soil moisture and shield crops and animals from heat.

He called on government agencies and emergency teams to share weather alerts quickly, and asked people to rely on verified updates from NiMet rather than rumours on social media.

The state government said it will support farmers with policies, programmes and timely information.