Climate experts, researchers, urban planners and media professionals have launched the Hotsteppers Project, a three-year research and action initiative aimed at tackling the growing health risks associated with extreme heat, poor air quality and rapid urbanisation in Lagos.
The project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, brings together the University of Cambridge, the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the Lagos Urban Development Initiative (LUDI), UrbanBetter and other partners to generate evidence and develop practical solutions for reducing heat exposure in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The initiative was officially unveiled during a three-day Climate and Health Media Workshop in Lagos, where journalists were trained on reporting climate change and the public health implications of extreme heat using evidence-based and solutions-focused journalism.
Speaking at the event, the project’s Communications Lead, Abimbola Badejo, said rising temperatures remain one of the least reported consequences of climate change despite posing serious threats to public health.
She noted that prolonged exposure to extreme heat could lead to dehydration, cardiovascular diseases, reduced productivity and mental health challenges, stressing that many Nigerians still see excessive heat as a mere weather condition rather than a public health emergency.
According to the project team, researchers will use satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), thermal mapping and temperature-monitoring devices to identify heat hotspots across Lagos, particularly around transport corridors and densely populated communities.
The study will also examine how extreme heat affects commuters, outdoor workers, traders and pedestrians while testing practical interventions such as increased tree cover, shaded walkways and cooling infrastructure in vulnerable locations.
Principal Investigator of the project, Prof. Tolullah Oni of the University of Cambridge, said the research would help identify how heat affects residents’ daily lives and support the design of low-cost interventions that can be integrated into Lagos State’s climate and health policies.
Co-Principal Investigator, Prof. Peter Elias of UNILAG, observed that while climate adaptation policies have traditionally focused on flooding and pollution, the impact of extreme heat has received little attention despite its far-reaching consequences.
The organisers also announced the creation of the Hotsteppers Media Network to provide journalists with continued access to climate experts, research findings and data throughout the lifespan of the project, with the aim of sustaining public awareness and policy engagement on urban heat and climate resilience.
