2024-11-25

NUMAN – On land surrounding a huge sugar refinery in Nigeria, dangerously high concentrations of heavy metals appear to have had a devastating effect on people’s lives and farming output.

Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) is the biggest supplier of sugar in sub-Saharan Africa.

Jennifer Ugwa, an investigative journalist from Nigeria, and her colleague Amos Abba became aware that local communities were complaining of illnesses and that farmers’ livelihoods were ruined because their crops were failing.  They spoke to Dangote workers whose duties included spraying crops.  The latter told the reporters they suffered chest pains, breathing difficulties and painful rashes.  

One of the sprayers they interviewed in 2022 said medical x-rays had revealed lesions on his lungs. He died in 2023. The journalists discovered Dangote workers were spraying chemicals banned in other countries for causing cancer, or harming people’s kidneys and livers. A ban was to have been imposed in Nigeria but its introduction was being repeatedly delayed.  

These two young journalists - now both in the US having won prestigious journalism fellowships - were determined to establish if the land in the immediate vicinity of the refinery showed any signs of contamination. Thanks to a Journalismfund Europe's grant, they commissioned laboratory tests to establish the level of contamination.  The results of the tests confirmed the community’s worst fears.  

DSR also did not respond to whether it had contributed to high levels of toxic heavy metals in water sources near the plant. But in its annual report, DSR claimed it has an excellent environmental track record. The company said it carried out “monthly full environmental monitoring in line with NESREA regulations”, uses an effluent treatment plant to treat its wastewater before it is released, and employs accredited companies to dispose of its waste.  

Team members

Jennifer Ugwa

Jennifer Ugwa is a freelance investigative reporter and storyteller.

Jennifer Ugwa

Nick Mathiason

Nick Mathiason is a founder and Co-Director of Finance Uncovered.

Nick Mathiason

Amos Abba

Amos Abba is an international investigative reporter and storyteller.

Amos Abba
Supported
€17,200 allocated on 22/08/2022
ID
ENV1/2022/109

PUBLICATIONS

COUNTRIES

  • Nigeria

 

need resources for your own investigative story?

Journalismfund Europe's flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.

Apply

support independent cross-border investigative journalism

We rely on your support to continue the work that we do. Make a gift of any amount today.

Donate