A staggering 179 million Nigerians, approximately 87% of the population, are living in unhygienic and unclean environments, according to the shocking findings of the STONE 2024 report.
The report, presented at the ‘STONE 2024 Unplugged’ event organized by Clean-Up Nigeria in Abuja, highlights the country’s ongoing sanitation and waste management challenges.
Prince Ene Baba Owoh, Jr., National Coordinator of Clean-Up Nigeria, emphasized the troubling statistics, stating that only a few states have made noticeable improvements in waste management and cleanliness.
The report’s Cleanliness Performance Index revealed that Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Lagos, and a few other states have emerged as regional champions in the fight for cleaner environments.
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However, the majority of Nigerian states continue to grapple with severe environmental issues.
Despite a slight reduction in open defecation from 24% to 20%, the sanitation crisis remains pervasive. The report shows that 28 out of 37 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are classified as unclean.
Furthermore, waste recycling efforts have sharply declined, falling from 26% in 2023 to 19% in 2024. Rising poverty levels have contributed to this downward trend.
While a few states have reported improvements in waste management equipment procurement, the overall situation underscores the need for greater government investment and more robust waste management infrastructure.
The report also highlights a worrying decline in the health and safety of sanitation workers, with their health rating dropping from 31% in 2023 to 28% in 2024.
This emphasizes the increasing challenges sanitation workers face due to inadequate support and poor working conditions.
Clean-Up Nigeria has urged state governments and citizens to take more responsibility for cleanliness and waste management.
The organization has also called for stronger policies, increased funding, and improved infrastructure to address the growing sanitation crisis and enhance the health and well-being of Nigerians.