Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Harmattan can be grueling. The dust never stops during those months. Otherwise, not too bad. - Jun 2024
Seasonally bad during Harmattan, but our housing has air filters and the school has installed some as well. - Mar 2024
Air quality can be decent on one day, and utterly gross on another (think burning tyre/dog poo smell in the air). During rainy season the air is humid but clean(-er). Dry season is taxing for anybody with lung issues. Make sure you have a humidifier in your bedroom(s) - Sep 2019
Bad if you are allergies or have asthma. Wet season cuts down on the dust, but ups the allergies. - Feb 2019
Harmatten seasonal allergies exist. Nothing too serious. Air quality can be impacted by what the locals are burning on that particular day. - Apr 2018
Harmattan season lasts from January-April, with dusts and winds from the Sahara turning the sky light brown. Many people suffer from mild respiratory conditions during this time of year. - Apr 2017
Good, but during Harmattan (February to April) the fine dust can aggravate your breathing problems if you already have issues. - Jun 2016
During the dry season, the Harmattan weather phenomenon brings sand dust through the city, leaving a film of dust on everything. It's generally very manageable, although there are occasionally dust storms that flare up, and I have heard of some people doing strenuous exercise outside during Harmattan and coughing up small blood droplets. - Aug 2015
Not too bad. During hot season it gets very dusty so folks with allergies might have a bad time. If you live at 66, be prepared for mold problems which can affect your health. - Nov 2014
Fair - lots of locals burning something, a lot of vehicles in poor condition spewing smoke - etc. When there is a wind or storm, the air gets moved around. Have been warned by many about the dry time of the year and the dust problems. See reports that have bee already posted. - Aug 2014
There is a 3-4 month Harmattan season when there is a lot of dust in the air. Borderline unhealthy, I'd say, but aside from some sinus infections, I don't know of anyone having a lot of trouble with it. The rest of the year the air is great - no air pollution problems at this point although people are frequently burning trash and cars here aren't exactly up to emissions standards. - May 2014
Pretty bad during the dry/dusty season (Nov-March); medium levels of pollution during other times of year, mostly from extremely old cars and trucks with no emission controls. You can't really run outside regularly without developing a nasty cough. - May 2013
