National Record Investigative Report Wins 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Award
National Record, an Abuja-based online newspaper, has earned continental recognition as one of its investigative reports emerged a winner at the prestigious West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) 2025, held in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday.
The award-winning report, titled “INVESTIGATION: Dangote, In Quest For Cheap Energy, Pumps Poison Into Benue Rivers” (Parts 1 & 2), was authored by investigative journalist Adedokun Theophilus and was adjudged best in the Extractive Industry category.
The two-part series uncovers the devastating impact of coal mining activities by Dangote Coal Mines Ltd, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, on water sources in communities in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State. The investigation reveals how the company’s drive for cheap energy has led to widespread pollution of rivers, exposing residents to health risks due to the lack of alternative potable water sources.
Funded by the MacArthur Foundation through the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) programme, the report stood out for its depth, fieldwork, and evidence-based storytelling.
Describing the investigation as “courageous and impactful,” the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) praised the report for highlighting the human cost of environmental degradation and giving voice to affected communities.
Renee Mendy, a member of the WAMECA grand jury, commented on the report’s strength:
“What makes this article stand out is how it connects people’s lives with the environmental and the health damage caused by Dangote’s coal mines. It is powerful because it is not just about pollution but about the families living through it.
The journalist did strong field work—talking to residents, experts, and local authorities—and even backed it up with laboratory tests that give the story real credibility.”
While recommending improvements in visual storytelling, Mendy emphasized the piece’s overall quality and significance as an example of journalism driving accountability and public awareness.
This year’s WAMECA received a record 793 entries from journalists representing over 600 media organisations across 15 West African countries. Nigeria topped the submissions chart with 335 entries, accounting for 42% of the total.
The awards, which span nine categories—including Investigative Journalism, Human Rights Reporting, Environmental Reporting, and Anti-Corruption—highlight excellence and impact in journalism across the sub-region.
National Record, a publication of Contest Communications Ltd. and a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), continues to distinguish itself in high-impact journalism, advocating for transparency, environmental justice, and the public good.
