By ABIGAEL JOSUHA

Akwa Ibom has been ranked the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, with a accumulative score of 79 per cent according to the State of the Nigerian Environment Report STONE 2025

Mr Ene Owoh, National Coordinator Clean-Up Nigeria said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Akwa Ibom won the Stone 2025 Unbroken Green Crystal award Trophy and medal of service award for the 8th consecutive times, from 2018 to 2025.

Owoh who is also the Secretary of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG),

said that the results were arrived at, during the State of the Nigerian Environment Report STONE 2025 unbroken and the Cleanliness Performance Index Ratings of all states in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

“Ebonyi and Enugu State followed closely, ranking 2nd and 3rd place with 65 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.

Owoh stated that the six geopolitical zones produced cleanliness champions namely: Akwa Ibom State South-South, 79 per cent, Enugu State South-East, 65 per cent.

“Lagos State South-West, 48 per cent Bauchi State North-East, 50 per cent, Plateau, North-Central, 52 per cent, and Kaduna State North-West, 35 per cent,” he said.

He revealed that the nine clean states are; Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and FCT.

“The 15-member NTSG, led by Prof. 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 point of 20 per cent and satellite imagery system that collects spectral data scoring 80 per cent monthly.

“The study used five variables namely :street/road cleanliness, vegetation and drainage control, waste management services, public opinion poll (POP), and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of hygiene and sanitation measures by the people.

“The report stated that in 2025, there was an 8 per cent performance in the procurement of waste management equipment by governments at all levels.

Owoh said that however, the health of sanitation workers dropped from 31 per cent in 2024 to 28 per cent in 2025.

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

“The hygiene and sanitation practice of the people dropped to 32 per cent in 2025, against 36 per cent recorded in 2024.

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

“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.

According to him, The STONE report, states that the life expectancy of ordinary Nigerians has dropped from 50 years in 2024 to 47 years in 2025.

He therefore called on governments at all levels to increase funding for waste management services and urged citizens to prioritise hygiene and sanitation practices.

Owoh 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 government and private sectors to improve cleanliness ratings nationwide.

He commended Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the Wife of the President for her green initiative project and urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a green environmental agenda, focusing on city and nature living, energy research, green economy, and resources management. (NAN)