Guess who’s keeping it spotless for the 8th year running? Akwa Ibom State just clinched the top spot in the State of the Nigerian Environment Report (STONE 2025), boasting a stellar 79% cleanliness score – that’s eight straight wins of the Unbroken Green Crystal Award since 2018.
Ene Owoh, Clean-Up Nigeria’s National Coordinator, dropped this bombshell in Abuja, revealing Ebonyi (65%) and Enugu (56%) trailing close as national runners-up. Across Nigeria’s six zones, champs include Akwa Ibom (South-South, 79%), Enugu (South-East, 65%), Lagos (South-West, 48%), Bauchi (North-East, 50%), Plateau (North-Central, 52%), and Kaduna (North-West, 35%).
The nine cleanest spots went to Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, Anambra, Lagos, and FCT – all scored via a year-long study mixing on-ground checks (20%) and satellite data (80%) on streets, waste, drainage, polls, and hygiene habits.
But hold up, not all rosy: Sanitation worker health slipped to 28%, diseases jumped to 43%, hygiene practices hit 32%, and 187 million Nigerians live dirty amid a life expectancy drop to 47 years – open defecation eased to 19%, yet we’re still world No. 2.
Owoh’s rallying cry? Pump funds into waste gear, build toilets, launch school eco-clubs, and team up for greener vibes – big props to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s initiatives too.
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