By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has cautioned farmers and the general public against mistaking recent rainfall in some parts of the country as the beginning of the 2026 rainy season, warning that the showers are deceptive and unsafe for both farming and human consumption.Parts of Lagos and Ogun states recorded noticeable rainfall last week, raising speculation that the rainy season had arrived earlier than expected.
However, NiMet clarified that the rains are “pseudo rains” and are unlikely to last beyond two weeks. The agency warned that rushing into planting could result in serious crop losses when a dry spell sets in.
Speaking on the development, the Director of Weather Services at NiMet, Prof. Vincent Weli, advised farmers to exercise patience and avoid planting at this time.“This is deceptive rain, popularly referred to as the pseudo-rain season, and it could lead to loss of crops,” Prof. Weli said.He explained that the current rainfall would be followed by a dry spell, making early planting risky.“Farmers should wait because we are still going to experience a dry spell.
The rains will not last more than two weeks before dry conditions return,” he added.Prof. Weli also warned residents in areas experiencing rainfall against drinking rainwater, noting that it could be harmful to human health.
“People in areas where it is raining are advised not to consume the rainwater, as it may pose health risks,” he said.He further dismissed concerns that the early rains could trigger flooding in the affected areas.“There cannot be flooding at this time because the ground surface is still very dry,” he explained.
According to him, rainfall in some southern regions, particularly the South-South, has continued intermittently since last year, a situation he attributed to the effects of climate change.“Some areas have experienced rainfall already this year due to changing climate patterns, but these rains will not be sustained,” he noted.Prof. Weli also disclosed that NiMet’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) would be officially released on February 10.He said the SCP would provide detailed forecasts of weather patterns across the country from February to December, outlining sector-specific and local government-level impacts to support planning and help prevent losses.
