This Present House (TPH) is a visionary Christian organization located in the heart of Lekki, Lagos. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Tony Rapu, a medical doctor trained at the University of Ibadan, the church serves as the spiritual hub for a much larger socio-economic engine known as the Freedom Foundation.
Dr. Rapu is widely regarded as a “social reformer” within the Nigerian faith space, known for transitioning from traditional clinical medicine to what he calls “street ministry.” His approach combines spiritual discipleship with professional medical rehabilitation and systematic poverty alleviation, making TPH a model for modern urban ministry.
SOCIAL REFORMATION & REHABILITATION
House of Refuge: Medically Assisted Drug Rehab Since 2006
The House of Refuge is a premier residential facility providing medically assisted detoxification and rehabilitation for individuals aged 17 to 59 struggling with substance abuse. It addresses addictions to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and prescription drugs through a clinical and psychological framework.
- National Impact: In 2016, the “My Lagos Diaries” documentary—a collaboration with the Ford Foundation—brought global attention to the Foundation’s work in Lagos slums like Shitta and Kuramo Beach.
- Political Testimony: The ministry’s spiritual depth was famously validated by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who publicly testified that it was Dr. Tony Rapu who led him to Christ.
- Source: Freedom Foundation Official Site | ThisDay Live: Tony Rapu’s Social Reformation
Genesis House: Rescue and Reintegration for Exploited Women
Genesis House is a residential program dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of women aged 18 to 30 who have been victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The program provides a safe haven, intensive counseling, vocational skills training, and a pathway to social reintegration.
- Source: Genesis House Program Overview
EDUCATION & POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Bethesda Child Support Agency: Free Education in Slums
The Bethesda Child Support Agency is the educational arm of the foundation, specifically targeting children in impoverished communities where education is often a luxury.
- Scholarship Scheme: Over 5,000 children have benefited from scholarships and school supplies.
- Free Schools: The agency builds and manages “free-tuition” schools directly within slums and poor neighborhoods, ensuring that poverty does not become a permanent barrier to literacy and opportunity.
- Source: Bethesda Agency: Educating the Underprivileged | Believers Portal: The Impact of Tony Rapu
NEWS & RECENT PROJECTS (MAY 2026 UPDATE)
The “Street Medicine” Initiative 2026
As of early 2026, the Freedom Foundation has expanded its mobile clinic outreach, bringing medical doctors directly to the under-bridges and ghettos of Lagos. This “Street Medicine” project serves as the first point of contact for the House of Refuge, identifying those in need of urgent clinical detox.
- Source: Freedom Foundation Quarterly Report (Q1 2026)