Amid growing awareness of the often-overlooked challenges women face with substance dependency, Baobab Microfinance Bank has taken a decisive step beyond advocacy, translating commitment into action through a new social impact initiative.
In partnership with Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative, the bank has launched Deborah’s Haven, a dedicated rehabilitation and reintegration centre in Lagos designed to support women on their journey to recovery and self-reliance.
Addressing a critical gap
Deborah’s Haven was established to meet a pressing need: creating a safe, structured, and stigma-free environment where women battling substance dependency can access the support required for sustainable recovery.
For many women, the path to healing is often complicated by societal judgment, limited access to care, and weak support systems. The initiative seeks to challenge that reality by offering a space where recovery is not only possible, but actively nurtured.
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| L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, Eric Ntumba; Chief Executive Officer, Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative, (CCRI), Dr. Dokun Adedeji; Board Member and Director, Baobab Microfinance Bank, Eneni Oduwole, and Board Chairman, Baobab Nigeria, Rotimi Oyekanmi, during the unveiling and opening of Deborah’s Haven, the dedicated female rehabilitation and reintegration wing of the facility in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday |
At its core, Deborah’s Haven extends beyond traditional rehabilitation. It is positioned as a centre for rebuilding—focusing on empowerment as much as recovery.
Through a combination of psychosocial support, skills development programmes, and guided reintegration pathways, beneficiaries are equipped to regain confidence, rebuild their independence, and re-enter society with a renewed sense of purpose.
This holistic approach reflects an understanding that recovery is not just about overcoming dependency, but about restoring dignity and enabling long-term stability.
A broader social commitment
The initiative underscores Baobab Microfinance Bank’s commitment to Social Performance Management, demonstrating that its role goes beyond financial inclusion to addressing deeper social barriers that affect economic participation.
Speaking at the launch, Board Member and Director Eneni Oduwole highlighted the philosophy behind the project, referencing the bank’s “Triple P” framework—People, Planet, and Profit—as a guiding principle.
According to her, Deborah’s Haven represents a tangible expression of that commitment, translating corporate values into meaningful community impact.
Investing in women, strengthening communities
Also speaking at the event, CEO Eric Ntumba emphasised the broader implications of the initiative. He noted that investing in women, particularly at vulnerable stages, has a multiplier effect—strengthening families and building more resilient communities.
This perspective aligns with growing recognition that inclusive social interventions are critical to sustainable economic development.
A partnership for transformation
For Dokun Adedeji, CEO of the Compassionate Care Recovery Initiative, the collaboration represents a significant expansion of impact.
He described the partnership as transformative, noting that it enables the organisation to offer more than recovery services—providing women with pathways to dignity, independence, and a renewed sense of identity.
A symbol of possibility
As Deborah’s Haven begins operations, it stands as more than a rehabilitation programme. It represents a shift in how recovery is approached—centred on empathy, structure, and long-term reintegration.
More broadly, it signals what is possible when corporate institutions engage deeply with social challenges, moving from intent to tangible solutions.
For the women it aims to serve, the centre offers something fundamental: the opportunity to rise again, reclaim their narratives, and step into a future shaped not by past struggles, but by renewed hope and possibility.