By

Francis Eromosele

Abuja

Efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to combat human trafficking have received a major boost as the Innovation for Poverty Action (IPA), has unveiled its counter-trafficking project titled “Promoting Evidence – Based Anti – Trafficking Efforts in Nigeria”.

The project which is unique in focus, mission, and strategy is a clear departure from other interventions by Partners and was launched in a well-attended ceremony held at the main hall of the John Wood Hotel, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja on Thursday 7th December 2023.

Speaking during the programme, the Country Director of IPA, Mrs. Funmi Ayeni, gave an overview of the purpose, focus, and modality for the implementation of the newly berthed project saying that it will be carried out with the active support of NAPTIP and its aims to scale up activities and operations of the Agency as well as the increased conviction of traffickers.

According to her, “Through this project which is funded through the Program to End Modern Slavery in the US Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, IPA will support, the Nigerian government to reduce human trafficking by establishing a Human Trafficking Embedded Evidence Lab – a permanent infrastructure that will equip NAPTIP to develop and deliver more effective, evidence-based policies and programs to combat sex trafficking. This lab aims to support the institutionalization of a culture of evidence-based decision-making by mapping administrative data, working side-by-side with NAPTIP teams and partners on capacity building, and evaluating innovations in human trafficking policies”.



The Country Director who warmly welcomed guests personally with a cheerful smile in the company of other staff of the IPA to the event, expressed gratitude to the US Department of State for funding the project assured that IPA will bring on board its rich professional experience in the implementation of the project to change the narratives of human trafficking in the Country.

In her speech, the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, Ph.D., said the project is another deliberate effort by the Agency in partnership with IPA to scale up efforts in the fight against human trafficking through evidence-based baseline to be able to achieve the required.

The NAPTIP Director General stated “ Over the last five years, we've witnessed an alarming transformation in the landscape of human trafficking in Nigeria. It's no longer confined to its conventional, familiar form.

“Traffickers have expanded their operations, infiltrating the online sphere as much as the offline world. And this shift has brought forth new and unsettling trends that are reshaping the human trafficking ecosystem, compelling us to revolutionize our strategies in response to these disturbing developments.

“Human trafficking is not just a statistic. It is the faces, the stories, and the hopes of those who suffer. We must understand its intricacies—how it thrives in the shadows, exploiting desperation and despair. We must recognize that behind every case, there is a human face.



“And Data emerges as our most potent weapon in this fight. It reveals patterns, highlights vulnerabilities, and guides our interventions. A data-driven approach empowers us to identify high-risk areas, understand trafficking routes, and recognize the specific vulnerabilities of different demographics. By harnessing the power of data, we move beyond anecdotal evidence to create targeted and impactful solutions.

“Recognizing the urgent need and identified gaps, NAPTIP and IPA joined forces to actualize this project, signing a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2023. The primary objective of this MoU is to strengthen the data collection, analysis, and research capacity of NAPTIP through the use of verifiable data in public policymaking.

“In collaboration, NAPTIP brings its policy expertise, data, and information for policy-making, while IPA contributes its data collection, analysis, and evidence generation expertise that would improve the effectiveness of counter-trafficking programs in Nigeria.

“Effective anti-trafficking efforts necessitate collaboration and information sharing across all levels. When we pool our resources and transparently share information, we amplify the impact of our actions.

“Of course, an evidence-based approach allows us to develop and implement prevention strategies that are rooted in reality. We can identify gaps in education and awareness, tailor programs to address specific needs, and measure the impact of our initiatives. Education is not just a tool for preventing trafficking; it is a shield that empowers individuals to recognize the signs and protect themselves and others.



“In the same token, our efforts must extend beyond prevention to the rehabilitation and empowerment of victims. Evidence-based programs can help us understand the unique challenges faced by victims and guide us in providing effective support. By addressing the psychological, social, and economic dimensions of survivorship, we contribute to breaking the cycle of victimization.

“To this end, this project also incorporates survivor-informed and victim-centered approaches into programmes by establishing an Embedded Evidence Lab, a permanent infrastructure which equips NAPTIP to develop and deliver more effective, evidence-based programmes and policies.

“IPA will support NAPTIP build long-term internal capacity to collect and act on high-quality data to design, adapt, and more effectively target our programmes and also determine the effectiveness of our current counter-trafficking interventions.

 

“The ultimate goal is to empower NAPTIP to use data and rigorous research to design, test and scale evidence-based programmes and policies resulting in a significant, measurable reduction in the prevalence of human trafficking in Nigeria”, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi explained.

In his speech, the Charge’ d’ affaires, US Embassy in Abuja, David Greene, described the project as timely bearing in mind the scope and dimension of human trafficking in Nigeria.

While expressing confidence in the ability of the IPA to carry out effective implementation of the project, he assures of the support of the Embassy in counter-trafficking activities in Nigeria.



Dignitaries at the launch include the Representative of the UNODC, Abimbola Adewumi, Team Lead of FIIAPP, Federico Millan, National President of NACTAL, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, Directors of NAPTIP, members of the Civil Society Organizations and others.

Highpoint of the event was the symbolic signing and exchange of the MOU between NAPTIP and IPA.

There were also presentations by Brianna Gehring, the US Department of State Programme to End Modern Slavery, and Mr. Micah Mendie, the IPA Policy and Embedded Lab Manager.