Akwa Ibom has been ranked the cleanest state in Nigeria for 2025, achieving an overall score of 79 per cent, according to the State of the Nigerian Environment Report STONE 2025.

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

“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,” he said.

Owoh, who is also the Secretary of the National Technical Study Group, stated that the results were obtained during the State of the Nigerian Environment Report STONE 2025, as well as the Cleanliness Performance Index Ratings for all states in Nigeria, which took place in Abuja.

“Ebonyi and Enugu State followed closely, ranking second and third place with 65 per cent and 56 per cent respectively,” he added.

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 a 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,” he said.