Akwa Ibom State has been declared the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, earning a cumulative cleanliness score of 79 percent, according to the latest State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE 2025 Unbroken) report released by Clean-Up Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
2025 STONE Report.
Akwa Ibom State has been declared the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, earning a cumulative cleanliness score of 79 percent, according to the latest State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE 2025 Unbroken) report released by Clean-Up Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
Enugu and Ebonyi States followed in second and third place with 65 percent and 56 percent respectively.
The announcement was made by the National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria and Secretary of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG), Prince Ene Baba Owoh Jr., PhD, during the public presentation of the STONE 2025 report and the Cleanliness Performance Index Ratings for all 36 states and the FCT.
Led by Professor Solomon Balogun, the 15-member NTSG conducted the annual nationwide assessment between November 2024 and November 2025. The study combined physical verification of states and towns (20 percent of the scoring system) and monthly satellite imagery that collects spectral data (80 percent).
The assessment examined five key variables: street and road cleanliness, vegetation and drainage control, waste management services, public opinion polls, and the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of hygiene and sanitation among citizens.
Declining Sanitation Indicators
The 2025 report painted a mixed picture of Nigeria’s environmental health. While procurement of waste management equipment rose by 8 percent, the health of sanitation workers declined from 31 percent in 2024 to 28 percent in 2025.
Similarly, sanitation-related diseases increased significantly to 43 percent, compared to 29 percent recorded the previous year. The hygiene and sanitation practices of residents also fell to 32 percent, down from 36 percent in 2024.
Despite a reduction in open defecation—from 24 percent to 19 percent—Nigeria still ranks as the second highest country globally in open defecation prevalence.
Satellite imagery analysis revealed that out of Nigeria’s estimated population of 240 million people, 187.2 million are living in unclean environmental conditions.
Clean States and Zonal Champions
The nine cleanest states identified in 2025 include Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Across the geopolitical zones, the cleanliness champions for the year are:
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%)
Akwa Ibom, which also won the Stone 2025 Unbroken Green Crystal Award and the Medal of Service Award, has maintained its position as Nigeria’s cleanest state for eight consecutive years (2018–2025).
Call for Action and Commendation for First Lady
Speaking at the presentation, Prince Owoh urged governments at all levels to increase funding for waste management services and intensify public education on hygiene and sanitation.
He also called for expanded construction of public toilets nationwide to further reduce open defecation, and encouraged the creation of health and environment clubs in schools to promote environmental awareness among young people.
Prince Owoh commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her green initiative project, describing it as a step in the right direction. He urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a robust green environmental agenda focusing on city and nature living, energy research, green economy expansion, and improved resource management.
Clean-Up Nigeria, he said, remains ready to partner with government institutions and the private sector to enhance cleanliness ratings across the country.
