Citation: Theophilus Adedokun is the East/West African Chief Correspondent of African Angle
A development-focused journalist with proven experience reporting on Sustainable Development Goals in East Africa and the Sub-Saharan region, Adedokun is skilled in feature writing, investigations, and human-interest stories that explore health, education, gender, climate, and governance.
He is passionate about amplifying under-represented voices, holding power to account, and producing impactful journalism that promotes accountability and equity.
Adedokun being presented with the Award by the Executive Director of AMDF, Sekyen Dadik
A holder of a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literary Studies, what makes Adedokun stand tall today is his story titled “The Cost of Cheap Energy: Dangote Industrial Push for Coal Leaves Benue’s Rivers Poisoned. Now Communities Are in Peril.”
The investigative story was prompted by growing concerns over the harmful environmental and social impacts of coal-mining activities carried out by Dangote Coal Mining Company in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
Community members reported that the company’s operations had severely contaminated local drinking-water sources, posing significant health risks to residents who depend on these water bodies for daily use.
Further inquiry by the reporter revealed that the company had been mining without an approved Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), a clear violation of regulatory requirements.
This lack of compliance contributed to widespread distrust among community members, fuelling intra-communal conflicts and, in some cases, leading to violence and loss of life.
In addition, it was discovered that the company failed to honour its Community Development Agreement (CDA), thereby deepening grievances and resentment among the affected populations.
Investigations also uncovered evidence that Dangote Coal Mining used provisions from Ghana’s mining law to manipulate and defraud community members, in collaboration with certain officials in the Benue State Ministry of Lands.
To substantiate these claims, laboratory assessments were conducted to measure the extent of toxic contamination in the communities’ water sources.
Despite prevailing insecurity, hostility, and ongoing communal clashes, the reporter visited all affected communities and engaged with the various warring parties supported with pictures to gather first-hand information and ensure balanced reporting.
With the documentary evidence, including the certificate of analysis, the Ghana mining law through which the farmers were swindled, and proof of violations of statutory laws and disregard for global environmental practices and mining regulations, the reporter not only exposed the unwholesome activities of Dangote Mining Company but also challenged the regulatory agencies that looked away.
From the foregoing, Adedokun Theophilus, you have demonstrated your professional skills in unearthing the questionable operations of the mining company and therefore named the 2025 AMDF Journalist of the Year. Congratulations.
