As Nigeria prepares for a very strong El Niño, the devices people already carry and keep at home — the smartphone in a pocket, the power bank in a bag, the rechargeable fan in a corner of the room — could matter more than usual in the months ahead. Forecasts point to higher temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns, and the right technology can help residents receive weather warnings, stay in touch with family and cope with power cuts.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned that the developing El Niño could become very strong and continue into 2027 — a long horizon that turns preparation into something to revisit season by season rather than a one-off exercise. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has cautioned about higher-than-normal temperatures, heat stress, irregular rainfall, prolonged dry spells and heat-related illnesses.

A projection by the University of Chicago's Climate Impact Lab estimates that Nigeria could record about 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September and February. The figure is a modelled estimate rather than a confirmed toll, and NiMet has not independently corroborated it. HumAngle, meanwhile, reported that the national electricity grid collapsed during the heatwave that followed the last strong El Niño. Another spell of extreme heat combined with outages could leave households without fans, lighting or reliable information precisely when they need them most.

No gadget can prevent a heatwave, stop a flood or guarantee electricity. Everyday technology can still help people prepare and respond, and some of the most useful tools may already be within reach.

Smartphones as a weather-warning channel

A smartphone can be a vital source of information during extreme weather, but only if the information it receives is dependable.

The NiMet mobile application is one of the official tools available to Nigerians. It offers weather information and alerts, air quality ratings and daily outlooks, organised into four sections: Home, Products, Alerts and Profile. The Products section lists six services, including seasonal rainfall predictions, aviation weather reports, maps, marine forecasts and temperature forecasts.

Technext's review of the app identified gaps in some of its most relevant features. The application worked and was available in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, but the seasonal rainfall prediction and temperature forecast tools failed during testing. The other listed services were accessible. The maps section covered malaria and meningitis and included a dedicated heat-risk map, which adds value for anyone seeking a visual guide to areas facing heat-related health risks.

The agency also publishes daily weather outlooks on Facebook, Instagram and X. Technext could not find an official WhatsApp channel or TikTok presence, and the outlook it examined made no mention of El Niño. These gaps make it unwise to rely on any single source: readers are better served following NiMet's official accounts and website, cross-checking updates with other credible outlets, enabling notifications and checking forecasts before long journeys or outdoor plans.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also shares disaster-related updates through its website and social media channels, and following them can provide timely information when severe weather threatens communities.

Emergency numbers that failed the test

A warning only helps if people can act on it, so Technext repeatedly called the national 112 emergency number and NEMA's toll-free line, 0800-CALL-NEMA (0800 2255 6362), on the Airtel, Glo and MTN networks. The results showed no consistent successful response.

On Airtel, the 112 call connected, but nobody answered before a voice laughed, said the caller had been seen and ended the call. The NEMA line rang and was answered for about 10 seconds without the responder saying anything. On Glo, both numbers were flagged as non-existent, and on MTN, neither call went through.

These results reflect Technext's own attempts and do not establish how the lines perform for every caller or location. Until they can be relied upon, households should save the numbers of their state emergency management agency, nearby hospitals and other responders rather than depending on a single line.

Tools for coping with extreme heat

When temperatures climb, cooling, drinking water and timely health information matter most, and some affordable devices can help — especially where electricity is unreliable.

A rechargeable fan is among the more practical options. Unlike a conventional fan, a battery-powered model keeps running during power cuts, and many can be recharged from a power bank over USB. Buyers should check battery capacity and the manufacturer's stated runtime, bearing in mind that runtime depends on the speed setting: a fan advertised as lasting eight hours may run for only a few hours at full power.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises using electric fans only when temperatures are below 40°C, because above that threshold they can raise body temperature. The warning carries weight in the north, where HumAngle reported that Maiduguri peaked at 45.9°C in May 2024. A rechargeable fan is not a complete answer to dangerous indoor heat — moving to a cooler location and seeking medical help remain essential.

A digital room thermometer shows how hot an indoor space actually gets, something weather apps do not report. That reading helps households decide when to move somewhere cooler, improve ventilation or cut back on activities that generate heat.

Smartwatches and fitness bands add another layer of monitoring. Depending on the model, they can track heart rate, activity and sometimes skin temperature, and some allow users to set alerts for unusually high or low heart rates. They are not heatstroke detectors or diagnostic tools, and their readings do not replace clinical assessment.

Phones can also support simple routines. Recurring alarms can remind users to drink water, take breaks from outdoor activity or check on relatives who are more vulnerable to heat, such as older people and young children. WHO also recommends avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day.

Floods, storms and keeping information safe

Floods and storms present a different set of challenges: people may need to receive warnings, find safer routes, contact relatives and protect important records while moving out of danger.

Before travelling in heavy rain, share a live location with a trusted relative or friend, so that a last reported position exists if communication is interrupted. Download offline maps for the areas along the route, since networks can fail and flooded roads make familiar routes hard to follow. Offline maps do not show real-time flooding or closures, however, so a route displayed as open is not necessarily safe.

A waterproof phone pouch is a cheap extra layer of protection for people who work or travel outdoors. Water-resistance ratings should not be mistaken for flood protection: Samsung says its Galaxy phones usually carry IPx7 or IPx8 ratings, covering 30 minutes in water at 1 metre or 1.5 metres respectively, and advises against exposing them to unclean water. Floodwater is rarely fresh or clean.

Backing up important documents before severe weather arrives also pays off. Photographs of identity cards, certificates, insurance papers and other essential records can be stored in a secure cloud account, making recovery easier if the originals are damaged or lost.

Blackouts and backup power

Blackouts undermine every other tool. A phone with no charge cannot receive alerts or reach relatives, and a rechargeable fan that was never charged offers little protection. A power bank is therefore one of the most useful devices to have ready.

The capacity printed on the packaging is not the whole story, because output power, charging efficiency and the size of the phone's battery all affect how much charge actually arrives. A 20,000 mAh power bank, for example, does not deliver 20,000 mAh to a smartphone, since some energy is lost in conversion. Buyers should check the rated output and confirm it suits their devices.

Those who can afford them may consider solar charging systems, though performance depends on panel size, sunlight and weather. Small power banks with built-in solar panels should not be treated as dependable primary chargers, because their panels can take a long time to recharge the battery.

Rechargeable LED lamps are a useful addition to a household emergency kit: they produce no open flame, unlike candles, and some give several hours of light after charging. A battery-powered radio can also deliver official announcements when mobile internet is down.

Phone settings help stretch a charge. Switching on battery saver, reducing brightness, closing unnecessary background activity and turning off Bluetooth and location services when they are not needed all conserve power. Before an outage, download offline maps, emergency contacts, key documents and forecasts.

Protecting the devices themselves

The gadgets people rely on in extreme weather are also vulnerable to it. Heat degrades batteries, water damages components and unstable power can cause problems during charging. Manufacturers publish operating and storage limits, so it is worth checking the documentation for each model.

Apple says iPhones are designed to operate in ambient temperatures between 0°C and 35°C. A device outside that range may dim its display, pause charging, close apps or show a temperature warning. On the day Technext checked the NiMet app, its forecast high for Abuja was 37°C — already above that ceiling. An overheated phone should be moved out of direct sunlight and allowed to cool before use.

Power banks need similar care. Safety guides from Oraimo and Redmi advise keeping the ambient temperature between 0°C and 35°C — around 25°C is ideal — and never leaving a power bank in direct sunlight or in high-temperature places such as a parked car. The guides also warn against covering the device with clothing, pillows or bedding while charging, recommending instead a cool, well-ventilated hard surface that lets heat dissipate; soft surfaces restrict ventilation and can trap heat.

Users should stop using a power bank that swells, smells unusual or overheats, and never open or repair a damaged battery. Phones, chargers and power banks should be kept away from standing water, and if a device gets wet, it should be disconnected from power and handled according to the manufacturer's instructions before being charged again.

During thunderstorms, NiMet advises people to stay indoors, avoid sheltering under trees or near power lines and disconnect sensitive electrical appliances. A surge protector adds a layer of protection but is no substitute for unplugging equipment when lightning is a risk.

Preparation without big spending

Preparing for El Niño does not require expensive technology. A working smartphone, a reliable power bank, a rechargeable lamp, access to weather information and a plan for reaching relatives can all make a difference. Charge them, test them and save the numbers and offline information needed before the weather turns — and keep a second option for when any one tool fails. As the event develops, NiMet's daily outlooks and WMO advisories will be the signals to watch for when those preparations need to shift from stored gear to daily routine.