Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria
Nigeria: Wildfire area burned by land cover type was 1,953 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria, 2002–2025
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 1,953 hectares for wildfire area burned by land cover type in 2025.
That represents a change of down 47.4% on the previous year and down 34.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria peaked at 7,449 hectares in 2020 and was at its lowest, 472.25 hectares, in 2012.
Nigeria ranks 29th of 225 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2,447 hectares | — |
| 2003 | 3,027 hectares | +23.7% |
| 2004 | 2,018 hectares | -33.3% |
| 2005 | 4,486 hectares | +122.3% |
| 2006 | 1,889 hectares | -57.9% |
| 2007 | 2,125 hectares | +12.5% |
| 2008 | 3,220 hectares | +51.5% |
| 2009 | 2,018 hectares | -37.3% |
| 2010 | 1,309 hectares | -35.1% |
| 2011 | 2,340 hectares | +78.7% |
| 2012 | 472.25 hectares | -79.8% |
| 2013 | 1,181 hectares | +150.0% |
| 2014 | 1,524 hectares | +29.1% |
| 2015 | 2,962 hectares | +94.4% |
| 2016 | 4,207 hectares | +42.0% |
| 2017 | 4,207 hectares | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 1,073 hectares | -74.5% |
| 2019 | 1,825 hectares | +70.0% |
| 2020 | 7,449 hectares | +308.2% |
| 2021 | 2,876 hectares | -61.4% |
| 2022 | 3,435 hectares | +19.4% |
| 2023 | 2,318 hectares | -32.5% |
| 2024 | 3,714 hectares | +60.2% |
| 2025 | 1,953 hectares | -47.4% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 1,953 hectares is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 42.93 hectares, 45.5× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 1,953 hectares is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 246.86 hectares, 7.9× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,654 hectares | 1,889 hectares | 4,486 hectares | 8 |
| 2010s | 2,110 hectares | 472.25 hectares | 4,207 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,624 hectares | 1,953 hectares | 7,449 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More reference data data for Nigeria
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.77 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 19.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 81.9 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 121.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 14.27 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria?
- Wildfire area burned by land cover type in Nigeria was 1,953 hectares in 2025, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 7,449 hectares in 2020.
- What is the lowest wildfire area burned by land cover type recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 472.25 hectares in 2012.
- How does Nigeria rank for wildfire area burned by land cover type?
- Nigeria ranks 29th out of 225 countries with data for 2025.
- Is wildfire area burned by land cover type rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Wildfire area burned by land cover type. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Area of other land types burnt by wildfires each year, in hectares. Includes wetlands, urban areas, snow and ice, bare ground, and water bodies.