When to go · Nigeria
Nigeria, month by month
The best months for Nigeria: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec. Months to avoid: Jun.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatDry; Harmattan haze in Abuja and the north. Lagos winds down from December.Lagos and the south-west coast: best weather · South-east and Cross River: best weather · Middle Belt: smoke hazeCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatDry and hot; good for Lagos, Calabar and Abuja.Lagos and the south-west coast: best weather · South-east and Cross River: best weather · Middle Belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedHot and humid; storms begin late in the month.Lagos and the south-west coast: hot · South-east and Cross River: fine · Middle Belt: hotCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilMixedRains arrive in the south; Easter travel peaks.Lagos and the south-west coast: rainy · South-east and Cross River: rainy · Middle Belt: hotCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedRain builds; Lagos traffic worse on flooded roads.Lagos and the south-west coast: rainy · South-east and Cross River: rainy · Middle Belt: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneAvoidHeaviest rain in Lagos; Democracy Day on 12 June.Lagos and the south-west coast: storm or typhoon risk · South-east and Cross River: rainy · Middle Belt: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedWet; the south-east is at its rainiest.Lagos and the south-west coast: rainy · South-east and Cross River: storm or typhoon risk · Middle Belt: rainyCrowds: Low
- AugustMixedA drier break in Lagos; Osun-Osogbo festival in Osun State (check dates).Lagos and the south-west coast: fine · South-east and Cross River: storm or typhoon risk · Middle Belt: rainyCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberMixedSecond rains in the south-west; New Yam festivals in the south-east.Lagos and the south-west coast: rainy · South-east and Cross River: storm or typhoon risk · Middle Belt: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberMixedRain eases late; Independence Day on 1 October.Lagos and the south-west coast: rainy · South-east and Cross River: rainy · Middle Belt: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGreatDry season starts; good conditions before the December rush.Lagos and the south-west coast: fine · South-east and Cross River: fine · Middle Belt: best weatherCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatDetty December in Lagos and the Calabar Carnival: book flights and hotels months ahead.Lagos and the south-west coast: best weather · South-east and Cross River: best weather · Middle Belt: smoke hazeCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos and the south-west coastLagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan | Best | Best | Hot | Wet | Wet | Storm | Wet | OK | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |
| South-east and Cross RiverCalabar, Obudu, Port Harcourt | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Storm | Storm | Storm | Wet | OK | Best |
| Middle BeltAbuja, Jos | Haze | Best | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best | Haze |
| Sahel northKano, Sokoto, Maiduguri | Haze | Haze | Hot | Hot | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | Best | Haze |