National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has backed the Innovations for Poverty Action(IPA) on the launch of its data-driven approach for eradicating trafficking in persons.

Director General (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, disclosed that if the agency wants to effectively tackle the scourge of tracking they have to work with reliable data and statistics which will be made available by the IPA project.

The DG made this known at the launch of the ‘Promotion Evidence-Based Anti-Trafficking Efforts in Nigeria Project’ organized by the Innovations for Poverty Action(IPA), yesterday in, Abuja.

She said: “Data poses as our potent weapon in this fight against trafficking in persons. A data-driven approach empowers us to identify high-risk areas, understand trafficking routes and recognize the specific vulnerabilities of the different demographics. NAPTIP and IPA joined forces to actualize this project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2023.

“The primary goal of this MOU is to strengthen the data collection, analysis, research and capacity of NAPTIP through the use of verifiable data for public policy-making in collaboration NAPTIP brings its policy expertise, data and its informed policy-making while IPA brings its data Collection, analysis and evidence generation expertise that will improve the effectiveness of counter trafficking programs in Nigeria.”

Speaking to the Guardian, the Country Director, Innovation for Poverty Action(IPA), Mrs Funmilayo Ayeni stated that IPA is working with NAPTIP to develop rigorous research and to translate new evidence into improved programs and policies.

According to her, data will be used to determine the direction and the pace of action against sex trafficking in Nigeria.

“Poverty and trafficking are closely related, our major aim is to reduce poverty in Nigeria. We’re working with NAPTIP to develop rigorous research and to translate new evidence into improved programs and policies. Data will serve as a means of ascertaining the rationale, direction and pace of action against sex trafficking in Nigeria. This project is funded by a grant from the United States Department of State.”

Also, The Acting Ambassador, the United States Embassy, Mr David Greene reiterated the Embassy’s support for the project and others aimed at ousting human trafficking in Nigeria.

He further stated that the US government supported the project with over 2 million dollars.

“This is just one of the projects the US is doing with IPA and NAPTIP to eradicate and reduce human trafficking to the barest minimum. The US government supported this project with more than 2 million dollars. The project is expected to span for 4years, project is to use data gathering and analysis to make sure awareness campaigns are effective with the collaboration with NAPTIP,” he said.