By National Record
AN INVESTIGATIVE Report by National Record has been named among 26 finalists for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA), organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The shortlisted work is a two-part investigative report, entitled: “Dangote, In Quest for Cheap Energy, Pumps Poison Into Benue Rivers”.
The report was funded by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism with Support from the MacArthur Foundation.
WAMECA is an initiative of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) that seeks to promote media excellence in the sub-region.
RELATED STORY: INVESTIGATION: Dangote, In Quest for Cheap Energy, Pumps Poison Into Benue Rivers – Part 1
According to the organisers, the 26 finalists were selected by a four-member jury made up of distinguished and experienced African media experts, after a rigorous review of 793 stories submitted by journalists from 15 West African countries.
“This year, the Awards received 793 entries from 15 West African countries. The entries were filed by journalists from about 600 media organisations in the West Africa region,” MFWA said in a statement.
The statement added that the winners will be announced at the awards event scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Alisa Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
RELATED STORY: INVESTIGATION: Dangote, In Quest For Cheap Energy, Pumps Poison Into Benue Rivers – Part 2
All 26 finalists will receive a Certificate of Merit, while the ultimate winners will be honoured with plaques, certificates, and cash prizes.
Submissions spanned nine categories, including Human Rights, Environment, Investigative Journalism, Women Empowerment, Digital Public Goods, Anti-Corruption, Extractive Sector, Telecoms & ICT, and Illicit Financial Flows.
Nigeria topped the list with 335 entries (42%), followed by Ghana (101), Burkina Faso (92), Mali (21), and Niger (4). The remaining ten countries contributed a combined 230 entries.
Below is the comprehensive list of finalists for WAMECA 2025:
Taiwo Adebulu, The Cable, Nigeria
Fleur Birba, Sidwaya, Burkina Faso
Clinton Yeboah, Luv FM/Multimedia, Ghana
Kunle Adebajo, HumAngle, Nigeria
Patricia Sia Ngevao, Awoko Publications (SL) Ltd., Sierra Leone
Kanssouguibe Douti, Laabali, Togo
Jemilat Abdulrasheed Nasiru, The Cable, Nigeria
Yaye Awa Niang, Freelancer, Senegal
Bakare Majeed, Premium Times, Nigeria
Alfred Koroma, Concord Times Newspaper, Sierra Leone
Ijeoma Opara, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Nigeria
Oumarou Rabo, Sidwaya, Burkina Faso
Pape Bocar Mbow, CESTI TV, Senegal
Fousseni Saibou, Le Ténor, Togo
Folashade Ogunrinde, Premium Times, Nigeria
Mahougnon Angèle Adanle, Bénin WebTV, Benin
Al’amin Umar, HumAngle, Nigeria
Pape Ibrahima Ndiaye, La Maison des Reporters, Senegal
Ibrahim Mansur, The Cable, Nigeria
Edem Venunye Alley, Le Nouveau Reporter, Togo
Faruk Umar Shuaibu, Daily Trust, Nigeria
Daouda Zongo, Wakatsera, Burkina Faso
Theophilus Adedokun, National Record, Nigeria
Ndiémé Faye, La Maison des Reporters, Senegal
Olayide Soaga, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Nigeria
Abdulrasheed Hammad, Pen Press, Nigeria
