NAPTIP Promises To Step Up Fight Against Human Trafficking, Embraces Data Collection

At the event

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has promised to step up its ongoing anti-trafficking efforts by embracing data collection and collaborating with all relevant stakeholders.

Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Director-General, made this promise on Monday at the start of a capacity-building programme for NAPTIP officers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Human Trafficking and Harmonised Reporting Tools.

The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, Mr. Hassan Tahir, stated that the role of data in national development cannot be overemphasised. She added, “Data collection is the foundation of our human trafficking programming. Data is well known to drive policy interventions and operational activities in a variety of fields, including counter-trafficking. Reliable data allows us to identify trends, allocate resources effectively, and develop evidence-based strategies that contribute to the detection and eradication of the heinous crime of human trafficking.”

She stated, “To all participants, this workshop provides you with a unique opportunity to make a difference in counter-trafficking efforts in Nigeria, particularly at the Agency. You are fortunate to have been chosen to be here. As a result, I encourage you to stay focused and engaged throughout this training. Your role is critical, and the skills you learn here will not only improve your capabilities but will also allow you to train other data collection officers across NAPTIP’s various formations nationwide, as well as other stakeholders, particularly CSOs. I congratulate every one of you.”

The DG stated that: “The Consultants and other experts have been carefully selected and will guide you through various relevant topics. The excellence demonstrated in this training will undoubtedly have a positive impact across the Agency, bolstering our collective efforts to combat human trafficking.

Waziri-Azi stated: “Let me remind you all that what we are doing this week will also help us to report our activities more accurately with proper evidence presented. You are aware of the Performance Bond I signed earlier this year with the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The current administration’s eight evidence-based priorities serve as the foundation for the performance bond. You are critical to achieving that Performance Bond because the Agency relies on you as Data Officers of your Departments and Units to track the activities we promised would be carried out and ensure full compliance, with evidence of achievements harvested. This would be done concurrently with your work plans, which are also in line with the National Action Plan.”

She told the participants: “Our job as a critical government agency is to always stand tall in contributing to national development and ensuring the safety of our vulnerable population, which criminal elements seek to devour. We have pledged from the start to make life unbearable for human traffickers and all those involved in various acts of violence against people in Nigeria, and we are not about to back down from that responsibility. We will continue to make human trafficking difficult in our communities.

“I encourage you to do your very best at this workshop. The knowledge and skills you gain here will be invaluable and will significantly contribute to the success of our comprehensive national anti-trafficking efforts, putting Nigeria in a different light in the fight against transnational organised crime.

“Please be reminded that this workshop is serious and should be viewed as such. At the end of it, each of you, particularly Agency officers, will be required, as you are already aware, to reduce the level of training in your Departments and units. Some of you would be chosen and sent to the Commands based on your performance to cascade the training. As a result, I expect the facilitators to provide an assessment of each participant after the workshop.”

Mr. Josiah Emerole, Director of the Agency’s Research and Programme Department, stated: “This capacity building comes at a very auspicious time when the Agency is focusing more on evidence-based programming, which only proper data collection, analysis, and dissemination can provide. It also comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focusing on evidence-based performance from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAS), by the performance bonds signed with Ministers.”

He stated that after the workshop, the following is expected: “The reporting tools will be used as the accepted template for reporting counter-trafficking activities in the Agency and to the Agency.” CSOs and other stakeholders are expected to use the same template when reporting to the National Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF).

“CSOs present are to pass on this training to other member organisations for uniform reporting, while STF training on the template will be provided during the Bootcamp in early August 2024.

“NAPTIP participants must discontinue training in their respective departments and units.

“Selected participants would facilitate step-down training across the NAPTIP Commands in the next activity phase.”

A Goodwill Message from the Acting Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria Country Office, Danilo Campisi, stated that: “Based on lessons learned from implementing the first NAP of 2009 to 2012, improved data collection, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the level and success of implemented activities through the development of a harmonised data collection system with stringent reporting tools and guidelines that allow

Campisi, who was represented by UNODC’s Associate Programme Officer, Project Officer “From Policy to Action,” Ifeoma Karebo, stated: “Human trafficking, as we all know, is a serious issue that threatens the dignity and rights of individuals, particularly women and children. The UNODC is dedicated to assisting the Nigerian government in strengthening its policy framework and response to human trafficking.

“This training workshop, whose primary goal is to provide NAPTIP officers and CSOs with the skills and knowledge required to effectively implement the NAP, exemplifies our commitment to putting “Policy into Action.” We want to improve stakeholder coordination, data collection and analysis, and create a more gender-sensitive approach to combating human trafficking. We are laying the groundwork for a more robust and coordinated response to human trafficking in Nigeria by fostering a comprehensive understanding of the NAP and developing stakeholders’ competencies.