Partners launch dedicated rehabilitation centre for women in Lagos

By Adebowale Johnson

A new rehabilitation and reintegration facility for women recovering from substance dependency has been established in Lagos through a partnership between Baobab Microfinance Bank and the Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative.

The facility, named Deborah’s Haven, is designed to provide structured support for women facing addiction-related challenges, a group often confronted with stigma and limited access to formal recovery systems.

Stakeholders say the initiative responds to a growing need for gender-specific rehabilitation programmes that combine medical, psychological, and socio-economic support. Women undergoing treatment at the centre will have access to psychosocial care, vocational training, and reintegration pathways aimed at helping them return to society with stability and dignity.

Speaking at the commissioning, board member of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Eneni Oduwole, said the project reflects the institution’s broader approach to social impact, particularly in areas that intersect with economic participation.

She noted that initiatives targeting vulnerable populations, especially women, can have wider implications for household stability and community development.

Also speaking, the bank’s Chief executive officer, Eric Ntumba, said inclusive growth requires addressing social barriers that prevent individuals from participating fully in the economy. According to him, supporting women at critical points of vulnerability contributes not only to individual recovery but also to broader social and economic outcomes.

On his part, the chief executive officer of the Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative, Dr. Dokun Adedeji, described the partnership as a step toward expanding access to structured recovery systems. He noted that sustained collaboration between private institutions and social organisations is essential in addressing substance abuse and its wider societal effects.

Deborah’s Haven is expected to operate as a long-term intervention platform, combining rehabilitation services with empowerment programmes. Observers say such initiatives highlight the increasing role of corporate and non-governmental partnerships in addressing public health and social challenges.