The seventh edition of the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) report has revealed that around 179 million Nigerians live in unclean environments, reflecting a modest improvement from 183 million recorded in 2023. The report, signed by Mr. Ene Owoh, National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), was presented in Abuja and underscores the critical need for enhanced sanitation efforts across the country.
Mixed Progress in Sanitation
The report highlighted both progress and setbacks in Nigeria’s sanitation landscape. Open defecation rates showed improvement, declining from 24% in 2023 to 20% in 2024. However, waste recycling efforts significantly dropped, falling from 26% to 19% within the same period. Mr. Owoh attributed this decline to increasing poverty, which continues to hinder sustainable waste management practices.
“Nigeria’s sanitation situation is a mixed bag,” Owoh remarked. “While there are areas of progress, challenges like inadequate recycling systems and poor hygiene practices remain critical issues that need urgent attention.”
States Leading in Sanitation Efforts
The report highlighted seven states as having commendable personal hygiene and sanitation practices. Akwa Ibom and Abuja topped the Cleanliness Performance Index, ranking as the cleanest states in Nigeria.
“Akwa Ibom’s significant upgrades in waste management equipment and efforts to improve sanitation among citizens stand out as a model for other states,” Owoh noted.
He further emphasized the importance of regional collaboration through a zonal approach, which tailors sanitation strategies to address specific environmental challenges in each state.
Zonal Cleanliness Champions
For 2024, the Cleanliness Performance Index, chaired by Prof. Solomon Balogun, recognized six states as zonal champions:
- South-South: Akwa Ibom
- South-East: Enugu
- South-West: Lagos
- North-Central: Plateau
- North-East: Borno
- North-West: Kaduna
These states were awarded the prestigious STONE Green Crystal Award for their commitment to promoting environmental sustainability. The awards aim to inspire other states to adopt effective strategies for cleaner environments.
Promoting Healthy Competition for Environmental Sustainability
The zonal rating system, supported by six years of data analysis (2018–2023), fosters healthy competition among states. By encouraging states to benchmark their performance, the system drives targeted interventions and highlights best practices for sanitation and waste management.
“This approach allows states to identify their strengths and weaknesses while fostering regional partnerships,” Owoh explained. “It motivates states to adopt innovative strategies for addressing their unique environmental challenges.”
Call to Action
The report concludes by urging Nigerians to take collective responsibility for improving their environment. While progress in areas like open defecation reduction is encouraging, more effort is needed to combat challenges such as inadequate recycling and poor hygiene.
As states continue to share knowledge and implement sustainable solutions, initiatives like the Cleanliness Performance Index aim to guide Nigeria toward a cleaner, healthier future