Akwa Ibom Emerges Cleanest State In 2025

Akwa Ibom State has emerged as the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, with an accumulated score of 79%.

Enugu State and Ebonyi State followed closely, ranking second and third, with 65% and 56%, respectively.

According to the Clean-Up Nigeria report for 2025, released in Abuja. The report, signed by the National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria and Secretary of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG), Prince Ene Baba Owoh Jr., PhD, was made public during the public presentation of the State of the Nigerian Environment Report (STONE 2025 UNBROKEN) and the Cleanliness Performance Index Ratings of all states in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

The 15-member NTSG, led by Professor Solomon Balogun, conducted the yearly study from November 2024 to November 2025.

The study combined physical verification of all states and towns in Nigeria, with a score of 20%, and a satellite imagery system that collects spectral data, scoring 80% on a monthly basis.

The study employed five variables: street/road cleanliness, vegetation and drainage control, waste management services, a public opinion poll (POP), and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding hygiene and sanitation measures among the people.

The report notes that in 2025, there was an 8% performance in the procurement of waste management equipment by governments at all levels. However, the health of sanitation workers dropped from 31% in 2024 to 28% in 2025.

The incidence of sanitation-related diseases increased to 43% in 2025, against 29% recorded in 2024.

The hygiene and sanitation practices of the people dropped to 32% in 2025, compared to 36% recorded in 2024.

“Open defecation has reduced from 24% in 2024 to 19% in 2025, but Nigeria remains the second country with the highest open defecation rating globally,” the report said.

The nine clean states, according to the report, are: Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and FCT. Notably, in 2025, out of Nigeria’s estimated 240 million population, 187.2 million people are living in unclean environments, based on satellite imagery data.

The STONE report stated that the life expectancy of ordinary Nigerians has dropped from 50 years in 2024 to 47 years in 2025. Prince Owoh, therefore, called on governments at all levels to increase funding for waste management services and urged citizens to prioritise hygiene and sanitation practices.

He also advocated for increased construction of public toilets to reduce open defecation and supported the establishment of health and environment clubs in schools nationwide to promote environmental awareness.

He expressed Clean-Up Nigeria’s willingness to partner with the government and private sectors to improve cleanliness ratings nationwide.

He commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her green initiative project and urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a green environmental agenda, focusing on urban and natural living, energy research, a green economy, and resource management.

The six geopolitical zones produced cleanliness champions, namely: Akwa Ibom State (South-South, 79%), Enugu State (South-East, 65%), Lagos State (South-West, 48%), Bauchi State (North-East, 50%), Plateau State (North-Central, 52%), and Kaduna State (North-West, 35%).

Akwa Ibom State emerged as the overall cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, with a cumulative score of 79%, winning the Stone 2025 Unbroken Green Crystal award Trophy and the Medal of Service award for the eighth consecutive year (2018-2025).