June in Nigeria is a season of rhythm and reflection. The skies darken, but the streets don’t sleep despite the downpour. With fashion fairs, food cravings, indoor concerts and weather-proof routines, this month is full of memories waiting to happen. Here’s how to enjoy June fully, live smart, stay safe, and make the most of the new month.

There is something about June in Nigeria that just hits differently. The clouds gather, the wind changes, and yet the streets find their pulse. It’s not December, but there is movement, there is mood, and there’s music. There is rain. And it is when some Nigerians in their small corners in Lekki or Guzape talk of summer more than Americans.

What to expect

The rain falls, but life doesn’t pause.
June strikes a different chord in some major Nigerian cities. The clouds roll in, the traffic thickens, yet culture pulses on. From Lagos to Abuja, creatives re-emerge, theatre finds its audience, and slow mornings become a lifestyle. It’s not the flash of December, but it’s charged with its own kind of mood—soaked, soulful, and full of small, unforgettable joys.

Where to go

Adire Lagos Experience
June 5–8, Ecobank Pan African Centre
More than a fabric fair, this event celebrates Yoruba heritage and modern design. Come for the shopping, stay for the stories behind the dye pots and patterns. Meet the dye masters, the creators, and the new generation turning adiré into a global fashion language.

Eedris Abdulkareem: One Mic, One Legend
June 7, Club Vybes Lagos
Eedris Abdulkareem returns to the stage at his concert, One Mic, One Legend. More than music, it’ll be memory, protest, nostalgia, and raw sound wrapped in truth. If you’ve lived through the era of Jaga Jaga, then this night is for you.

KAFART in Abuja
June 14, British Council Abuja
Northern creatives take the spotlight as Kaduna’s celebrated creative platform, KAFART, makes its way to Abuja. Expect embroidery, handmade art, spoken word, original designs, music, and cultural moments often missing from Lagos-centred conversations.

Theatre Season Returns
June traditionally sees revivals of major productions where art, music, and storytelling come alive. Keep an eye out for classics like Saro the Musical and Heartbeat—perfect indoor escapes from the rain.

The Fashion Souk
June 14–15, Harbour Point, Lagos
This is a two-day explosion of fashion, business and networking. With over 100 brands and a sea of designers who get to connect with buyers, this is where wardrobes and ideas are made.

The Lagos Leather Fair
June 28–29, Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel
Workshops, exhibitions and the Leatherpreneur Challenge all point to one thing: Made-in-Africa luxury is on the rise. And it’s not just about leather bags or shoes.

What to wear 

Rainy but make it fashion
The rainy season doesn’t mean style has to suffer. In fact, it’s a chance to level up. Water-friendly materials, smart layering, and bold colour play can turn a soggy day into a fashion statement.

Think hoodie dresses, water-resistant outerwear, and trench-style raincoats.
Shorts with boots? Yes.

Umbrellas? Consider them an accessory, not an afterthought.

Sneakers made for the weather. Cue in AdiFOM Superstar.

In June 2023, brands like Orange Culture and Andrea Iyamah released capsule collections with rain-friendly pieces that sold out online within days. They were light, durable, and stylish. This year, keep an eye on tailors shifting from wax prints to more weather-resistant fabrics suited for the season.

What to eat

Food that hugs you back
Last year, Guardian Life asked ten Nigerians about what they googled in June 2024. Two said they searched “how to make pepper soup” and “yam porridge recipe” during the month.

However, a general rule of thumb we’ve learnt over the years is to eat the fruits and vegetables in season. They provide all the nutrients your body needs to thrive through each season.

June brings that urge to eat for warmth. And when the skies pour, nothing hugs like Nigerian food. This is the month for steaming swallow, spicy soups, and soft comfort.

• Pepper soup for the soul (and sinuses).
• Hot eba and thick [okro] soup to help you sleep deeper.
• Amala with gbegiri and goat meat is the ultimate comfort.
• Boiled yam with spicy ofada sauce? A proper mood.
• Asaro (yam porridge) and unripe plantain porridge? Always welcome. (Pair with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and thank us later.)
• Beans with fried plantain.

Food vendors, especially in roadside bukas, see sales of swallow meals double during the cold mornings. There’s a rhythm to it, rain falls, hunger comes, and people need something warm and heavy to hold them down.

How to live

Smart routines for a smart season. The baseline?

• Stock your pantry. Rains delay delivery and cause price surges.
• Charge your devices. Power supply is less reliable. Thunder strikes and power goes poof,
• Plan for transport hikes. In 2023, Lagosians spent two extra hours in traffic and paid nearly double on ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber.

How to spend time indoors

“Rain usually starts in June, so whenever it falls, I take that time to relax, watch my favourite movies, and play video games,” 24-year-old Oladele Ebisetan told Guardian Life.

Aminat Adegbite, 27, said June always puts her in the mood for something hot. “Whenever it rains, I find myself rushing to make tea. I just want to stay warm. I love June, it feels special, and there’s always a calmness in the air.”

For Stella Okechukwu, a mother of two, June is a month of appreciation. “I always use June to celebrate the men in my life, my husband and my father, especially with Father’s Day coming up on June 15. I enjoy staying home and making them happy,” she said.

But June can be dangerous too.

How to stay safe

• Beware of the flood.
• This month isn’t just about beauty. It’s also about being aware. NiMet and NEMA have called for caution. People living in low-lying areas need to be prepared.
• Avoid walking through floodwater.
• Don’t stand under trees.
• Keep children indoors when it rains.
• Unplug appliances during storms.
  Stay alert.

Some June flash floods in past years have been traced to overflowing canals and blocked drainages. In 2019, parts of Ajegunle and Agege were submerged for three days straight. Hundreds of cars were submerged in 2021 in Lagos by flood. In 2024, severe flooding across many parts of Nigeria claimed 1,231 lives and displaced over 1.2 million people, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Safety is the watchword.

How to feel good

Rainy weather + skin = caution.
Humidity isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s tricky for the skin. Fungal infections thrive in damp conditions.

• Use lightweight scrubs for oily skin and moisturisers for dry zones.
• To avoid fungal infections, change damp clothes quickly and opt for breathable fabrics.
• Pharmacists report a spike in antifungal cream sales this time of year.
• For oily skin, wash gently and use light scrubs. Dry skin needs moisturising. Combination skin must be treated in zones. C
• Pharmacists report a spike in the sales of antifungal cream sales during June. 
• To avoid fungal infections, dry off sweat and change out of damp clothes quickly. 
• Avoid synthetic underwear and opt for breathable fabrics.
• Use alcohol-free toners.

Watch your budget

Think before you spend.

Rain makes everyday life more expensive. Fares go up. Traffic gets worse. Electricity cuts in and out. The hustle doesn’t stop, but it slows.

Carry a power bank. Budget extra for movement. The smart ones plan for the rain before it comes.

In June 2023, Lagosians spent an average of two additional hours in traffic, according to a GPS report from a local mobility app. That year, Bolt and Uber fares doubled during rainy mornings. Fast forward to now, and the lesson remains: leave earlier or you’ll pay more.

Still, June is a gift. It’s the month of hot soup and new shoes. Of soaked jeans and unforgettable nights. It’s when Lagos refuses to stop dancing and Abuja finds new voices. It’s when Nigeria proves again that the spirit of its people is stronger than the storm.

So welcome to June. Live it well. Dress like you mean it. Eat like you deserve it. And when the rain falls, don’t just survive, enjoy it. The vibe doesn’t die because of water. Not here. Not ever.