Akwa Ibom State has been ranked the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, achieving an overall cleanliness score of 79 percent, according to the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) 2025 report.
Mr. Ene Owoh, National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria and Secretary of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG), said the state won the Unbroken Green Crystal Trophy and Medal of Service for the eighth consecutive year, from 2018 to 2025.
“Ebonyi and Enugu States closely followed Akwa Ibom, ranking second and third with 65 percent and 56 percent respectively,” Owoh added.
The STONE 2025 study evaluated all Nigerian states using a combination of physical inspections (20%) and satellite imagery data (80%), assessing variables such as street and road cleanliness, vegetation and drainage control, waste management services, public opinion, and hygiene awareness among citizens.
Other regional cleanliness champions include:
- South-South: Akwa Ibom – 79%
- South-East: Enugu – 65%
- South-West: Lagos – 48%
- North-East: Bauchi – 50%
- North-Central: Plateau – 52%
- North-West: Kaduna – 35%
The nine states with the highest cleanliness ratings in 2025 are Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and the FCT.
Despite these achievements, the report highlighted areas of concern: the health of sanitation workers declined from 31% in 2024 to 28% in 2025, while sanitation-related diseases increased from 29% to 43%.
Hygiene practices among citizens also dropped from 36% to 32%. Open defecation, although reduced from 24% to 19%, remains a significant challenge, with Nigeria still ranking second globally for open defecation.
Owoh called on all levels of government to increase funding for waste management, promote public toilet construction, and integrate health and environmental education in schools.
He also commended Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her green initiative and urged the federal government to adopt a comprehensive green agenda focusing on urban and environmental sustainability, energy research, and resource management.
