Clean environment should be one of the top priorities of a highly populated country like Nigeria because it would bring out the beauty of the environment and more importantly, diseases carried by air pollution would not be able to thrive. 

On the good side, some states have tried to uphold environmental cleanliness and they are definitely the focus of this article. Here are the top cleanest states in Nigeria, according to the National Technical Study Group (NTSG):

1. Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom state has different initiatives in addressing environmental pollution. The government organises constant awareness to educate the public on the importance of keeping their surroundings clean. Investment in sanitation facilities have made the state continue to remain clean.

2. Ebonyi

Ebonyi has been ranking one of the cleanest states in Nigeria for some time now because of the dedication towards ensuring wastes are discarded properly and moreover, building modern facilities to keep up with neatness and avoid environmental hazards.

3. Cross River

Constant emphasis on creating a healthy environment has placed Cross River above other states. Not just this, engaging in various projects to promote planting of trees to control soil erosion is another way in ensuring residents enjoy fresh air.

4. Enugu

Enugu state initiates different sanitary programmes to make sure its environment is always conducive to both residents and visitors. Bins and modern waste infrastructures are provided by the state to reduce pollution and dumping of dirts.

5. Delta

To realise the vision of ensuring a healthy living environment, Delta state tackles waste through different sanitation projects and regulations that must be adhered to by both residents and waste collectors. All these made the state one of the cleanest in Nigeria.

6. Edo

Edo state takes cleanliness campaigns to both urban and communities to educate the people on how they can dispose garbage and the benefits of living in neat environments.  The state also devised different engagement methods for schools so that students can be very much aware of the importance of a healthy environment.

7. Plateau

Plateau state places much emphasis on cleanliness, most especially to maintain its natural beauty. Therefore, to combat waste problems, the governments implement different initiatives to keep the environment tidy. This places Plateau among the cleanest in Nigeria.

8. Abuja

Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria, is always clean. Every administration that comes on board ensures sanitation is taken seriously considering the important dignitaries that come in and out of the FCT as the country’s seat of power. It’s also important to maintain environmental cleanliness. As a collective effort, residents in the nation’s capital city are urged to dispose waste responsibly.

Top 10 dirtiest states in Nigeria 2024

Maintaining a proper waste management system is good for our health as people. This is because what we inhale as humans everyday are impactful in our wellbeing. 

Unfortunately, there are states in Nigeria lagging seriously in combating dirtiness. Check out the dirtiest states in Nigeria according to the data from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and Clean-Up Nigeria:

1. Abia 

Abia leads as one of the dirtiest states in Nigeria. The state is yet to find concrete ways to solve its waste management problems. Hardly is there any local government not battling poor environmental hygiene. Aba city which is regarded as one of the most promising places to do business is not clean satisfactorily. 

2. Lagos 

One of the shortcomings of Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria is lack of proper waste disposal. Many areas of the state are still littered with dirt. Even though Lagos has agencies dedicated to environmental cleanliness, there is still more work to be done to keep up with good sanitation.

3. Kogi 

Some parts of Kogi state are clean to an extent but do not discard the fact that many land areas are extremely dirty. Negligence and inadequate measures contribute to poor environmental sanitation in the state. 

4. Anambra

Anambra state, in Southeast Nigeria has various streets littered with dirt including its major city, Onitsha. Constant dumping of refuse has made the state very untidy. No solid structure put in place to tackle pollution — this has continued to be a menace.

5. Kano

Kano is one of the best northern states to start a business but sadly, does not have a system that can cater for waste disposal. Many business areas and parks stink and are full of dirt. This is quite concerning because of the health risk it would be for the residents.

6. Osun

Osun is not left out, it is ranked as the sixth dirtiest state in the country. Even though the government in the past provided proper waste control, lack of compliance from the people has continued to make the state dirty and has contributed to air pollution.

7. Nassarawa

Nassarawa is one of the northern states in Nigeria battling proper waste disposal. Inability to create a working system that can address environmental issues in the state makes Nassarawa rank among the dirtiest states in Nigeria despite its geographical closeness to the nation’s capital, Abuja.

8. Zamfara 

Zamfara is grappling with a lot of issues such as literacy and security that has made it impossible for the state government to concentrate on environmental cleanliness. In other words, the state has not attained the point whereby waste management would be prioritised or of government concern.

9. Yobe

Yobe state has no strong measures to solve its garbage problems. Although insecurity has been a major challenge and setback for the state. Notwithstanding, insufficient attention is paid to cleanliness.

10. Ogun 

Ogun state has been working on its urban areas and trying to ensure cleanliness in its markets but some local governments are still very dirty as different compartments have been trash dump sites.