Investigative Report of National Record 8 Wins West Africa of 2025…

An investigative report by Abuja-based Nigerian online newspaper National Record was among the contributions honored at the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) held in Accra, Ghana on Saturday October 2025.

The two-part investigative report; “INVESTIGATION: Dangote, In Quest For Cheap Energy, Pumps Poison Into Benue Rivers Part 1 and 2” by Adedokun Theophilus was named among the 26 finalists at the awards ceremony who emerged winners in the Mining Industry category.

The report was produced with the financial support of the MacArthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the “Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusion and Accountability (CMEDIA)” program.

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The report has revealed how the pursuit of cheap energy by a subsidiary of Dangote Group, Dangote Coal Mines Ltd, comes at a deadly price for several communities in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.

National Record, a publication of Contest Communications Limited, is a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The award-winning investigation reveals how Dangote coal mining exploration indiscriminately polluted several rivers in both the immediate host community and many other communities, poisoning residents who had no other sources of drinking water.

The Media Foundation for West Africa described the report as a courageous investigation that reveals the human cost of pollution and gives voice to those who are silenced.

Renee Mendy, one of the jury members, said: “What makes this article stand out is how it connects people’s lives with the environmental and health damage caused by Dangote coal mines. It’s powerful because it’s not just about the pollution but also about the families who experience it.

“The journalist has carried out intensive field work talking to residents, experts and even local authorities and has also supported this with laboratory tests which give the story real credibility.

“The article could be a little shorter and more visually appealing, perhaps with clear images or infographics, but overall it is an impressive and impactful investigation that really shows the power of journalism to inform and push for change.”

In an earlier statement, the MFWA said it received 793 nominations this year, submitted by journalists from more than 600 media outlets in 15 West African countries.

Nigeria emerged as the country with the highest number of proposals (335), accounting for 42% of the total.

Ghana follows with 101 entries, while Burkina Faso submitted 92 entries. 21 registrations were received from Mali, while 4 registrations arrived from Niger. The remaining 10 countries in the sub-region recorded a total of 230 registrations.

“This overwhelming response marks a strong return for West Africa’s largest and most prestigious journalism event after a hiatus in 2024. The competition, which opened on 15 April, invited submissions of journalistic work published between 1 January and 31 December 2024.

Nominations were received in nine award categories, including Human Rights Reporting, Environmental Reporting, Investigative Journalism, Women’s Empowerment Reporting, and Digital Public Infrastructure Reporting/Digital Public Goods Reporting. Others include anti-corruption, extractive sector, telecommunications and ICT and illicit financial flows.”

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