The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned farmers and the general public not to mistake recent scattered rainfall in parts of the country for the official onset of the 2026 rainy season.
The agency issued the alert following reports of rainfall in parts of Lagos and Ogun States last week, which triggered speculation that the wet season had begun earlier than expected.
According to NiMet, the rainfall events are classified as “pseudo rains” and are expected to subside within the next two weeks, possibly giving way to a prolonged dry spell.
Speaking on the development, the Director of Weather Services at NiMet, Prof. Vincent Weli, cautioned farmers against early planting, warning that premature farming activities could result in significant crop losses.
He explained that planting based on the current rainfall pattern could expose crops to moisture stress when the rains eventually stop.
NiMet also raised public health concerns, advising residents in affected areas not to consume rainwater, as it may pose potential health risks.
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The agency further disclosed plans to release its 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) on February 10, which will provide detailed climate outlooks from February to December.
According to NiMet, the forecast will include sector-specific climate impacts, as well as local government-level weather projections, to support better planning and reduce climate-related losses across agriculture, health, water resources, and infrastructure sectors.
