An investigation published by HumAngle has won the Kavli Science Awards, organised by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
The investigation titled: “Niger Delta Communities Grappling with Health Impacts of Gas Flaring” was done by Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi, a freelance journalist and published on April 18th.
Sofiullahi is the second Nigerian to win the award.
The award-winning piece highlighted how constant gas flaring by oil companies in Nigeria’s South-South region has exposed residents to toxic pollutants, leading to respiratory issues, cancer risks, and other serious health challenges.
Through compelling storytelling and data-driven insights, the report examined the struggles of local communities facing environmental hazards with limited recourse.
Recognising excellence in science reporting worldwide, the award has two prizes for eight categories. While gold award winners get $5000 each, silver award recipients get $3500 each.
Sofiullahi’s investigation won the gold award. The investigation was produced through a grant from the Wits Centre for Journalism’s African Investigative Journalism Conference and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
One of the judges, Duda Menegassi, praised the piece, saying, “Sofiullahi makes a great journalistic effort to pursue an issue of social relevance for Nigeria, shedding light on the dangerous relation between the gas flaring facilities, air quality, and the health of communities living close by.”
Reflecting on his motivation for the investigation, Soifiullahi said his investigative piece aimed to employ scientific approaches to track the frequency and scale of gas flaring activities.
He further expressed hopes that the investigation will drive enforcement of gas flaring regulations, relocation of flaring sites, and justice for those impacted by health issues tied to environmental pollution.
An investigation by HumAngle has won the Kavli Science Award by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for its in-depth report on the health impacts of gas flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
Conducted by freelance journalist Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi, the report highlights serious health risks such as respiratory issues and cancer linked to pollutants from gas flaring by oil companies. The piece, which illustrates the environmental struggles faced by local communities, earned a gold award, supported by the Wits Centre for Journalism and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Sofiullahi is the second Nigerian to receive this prestigious award, which acknowledges excellence in science journalism. His work, praised for its social relevance and data-driven insights, aims to raise awareness and drive policy changes to enforce stricter regulations on gas flaring.
The investigation also seeks to facilitate the relocation of flaring sites and deliver justice to communities suffering from pollution-related health issues.