The seventh edition of the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) report has revealed that no fewer than 179 million people in Nigeria live in unclean environments. This represents an improvement compared to 183 million recorded in 2023. The report, signed by Mr.
Ene Owoh, National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja. Related Stories According to Owoh, the study’s indicators are designed to promote comprehensive environmental policies targeting governments at all levels and citizens. “The 2024 zonal rating has significant merits and is expected to improve Nigeria’s national cleanliness index rating, ” Owoh stated.
He noted a slight improvement in reducing open defecation, which dropped from 24% in 2023 to 20% in 2024. However, he highlighted a decline in waste recycling efforts, which fell from 26% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, attributing the drop to rising poverty levels. “ Nigeria’s sanitation situation is a mixed bag, ” Owoh said, emphasizing the importance of environmental cleanliness and sustainable waste management.
The findings also revealed that only seven states demonstrated good personal hygiene and sanitation practices among their citizens, underscoring the need for broader improvements in environmental and public health efforts. Owoh announced that the annual Cleanliness Performance Index ranked Akwa Ibom and Abuja as the cleanest states in Nigeria, demonstrating their commitm.