… Second African to Lead 120-Year-old Global Humanitarian Organisation Pledges to Deepen Peacebuilding, End Polio, and Expand Community Impact Worldwide

Nigeria has once again earned global recognition as distinguished engineer, business leader, and humanitarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola prepares to assume office as President of Rotary International on July 1, 2026, becoming only the second African in the organisation’s history to occupy its highest office.

His emergence marks a defining moment not only for Nigeria and Africa but also for Rotary’s worldwide network of more than 1.2 million members spread across 45,000 clubs in nearly every country. It reflects the growing influence of African leadership in shaping global humanitarian action and international development.

As Rotary International President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, Babalola has unveiled an ambitious vision centred on peacebuilding, sustainable community development, humanitarian service, and inclusive global partnerships. His leadership comes at a period when the world is grappling with conflict, economic uncertainty, climate-related challenges, public health concerns, and widening social divisions.

Speaking ahead of his inauguration, Babalola described Rotary as a unique platform that transforms lives by connecting people across cultures, professions, and national boundaries.

“Rotary gives people the opportunity not only to make a difference in their communities, but also to grow through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of different perspectives,” he said.

“At a time when many societies face division and uncertainty, I believe Rotary has an important role to play in building understanding, advancing peace, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. As president, I look forward to highlighting and strengthening that impact around the world.”

A Lifetime Dedicated to Service

Babalola’s emergence crowns more than four decades of dedicated service to Rotary and community development.

His Rotary journey began in 1984 through Rotaract, Rotary’s youth leadership programme, before joining the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Rivers State, in 1994. Since then, he has served in numerous strategic leadership positions, earning widespread respect for his commitment to humanitarian service, ethical leadership, and organisational excellence.

Beyond Rotary, Babalola built an accomplished professional career spanning more than 30 years in the oil and gas industry, where he held senior executive positions with Shell PLC. Leveraging his extensive engineering and management expertise, he later established Riviera Technical Services Ltd., an infrastructure delivery company, and Lead and Change Consulting, a firm specialising in executive coaching, leadership development, and organisational transformation.

His professional affiliations include the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Safety Professionals, the Association of Change Management Practitioners, and the Jericho Business Club, an influential civic organisation based in Ibadan that contributes to national policy discussions.

Championing Peace Across Africa

Peacebuilding has remained one of Babalola’s defining passions.

Over the years, he has played an active role in advancing Rotary’s peace initiatives, particularly through the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda, the organisation’s first peace centre on the African continent.

His presidency is expected to reinforce Rotary’s commitment to dialogue, conflict prevention, reconciliation, youth empowerment, and sustainable peace initiatives across regions facing instability.

Observers believe his African experience positions him uniquely to champion practical, community-driven solutions to complex global challenges.

Intensifying the Global Fight Against Polio

Among Babalola’s foremost responsibilities will be leading Rotary’s global campaign to eradicate polio permanently.

Rotary remains one of the founding partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a historic collaboration that has reduced global polio cases by 99.9 percent since its launch.

Over the decades, Rotary members have contributed more than US$3 billion, alongside millions of volunteer hours, helping immunise over three billion children worldwide against the devastating disease.

Babalola has personally contributed significantly to this campaign, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, where his strategic leadership helped sustain momentum toward a polio-free future.

Expanding Rotary’s Humanitarian Footprint

Beyond disease eradication, Rotary continues to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges through projects designed and implemented by local communities.

Rotary clubs across the globe invest in initiatives that provide clean water and sanitation, improve maternal and child healthcare, strengthen education systems, promote environmental sustainability, stimulate economic development, and foster peaceful societies.

Supporting these efforts is The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s charitable arm, which has awarded more than US$5.5 billion in grants over the past century, making it one of the world’s most respected philanthropic institutions.

Recognised for Exceptional Leadership

Babalola’s remarkable contributions have earned him numerous prestigious honours within Rotary, including the Service Above Self Award, the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, and the Africa Centennial Heroes Award.

He also serves as a trustee of ShelterBox UK, Rotary’s global disaster relief partner, providing emergency shelter and humanitarian assistance to families displaced by conflict and natural disasters around the world.

Together with his wife, Preba, Babalola has demonstrated an enduring commitment to philanthropy through a named endowment to The Rotary Foundation. The couple are members of the Arch Klumph Society, Rotary’s highest recognition for exceptional philanthropic support.

A Proud Moment for Nigeria and Africa

Babalola’s elevation is being celebrated across Nigeria, Africa, and the international Rotary family as a milestone that showcases the continent’s growing leadership in global governance, humanitarian service, and peace advocacy.

His presidency is expected to inspire a new generation of African leaders while reinforcing Rotary’s mission of building goodwill, fostering understanding, and transforming communities through service.

As he prepares to assume office on July 1, millions of Rotarians across the world will be looking to his leadership to strengthen Rotary’s enduring legacy of Service Above Self and to drive lasting solutions that improve lives, build peace, and create hope for communities everywhere.