Olayinka Hakeem Babalola the new Rotary President.
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a Nigerian engineer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, has been selected as president of Rotary International for the 2026–27 term.
The Rotary International president, elected each year, serves as the public face of the organization, setting priorities and representing members on the global stage.
Babaola will take office on July 1, 2026, becoming only the second African to lead the global service organization.
His appointment followed the resignation of President-elect SangKoo Yun of South Korea, who stepped aside to focus on his recovery.
Rotary: A Global Service Movement
Founded in 1905, Rotary International is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, with more than 1.2 million members in over 200 countries and territories.
Through more than 46,000 clubs, Rotary members focus on peacebuilding, providing access to clean water and sanitation, supporting education, improving maternal and child health, strengthening local economies, and protecting the environment.
Rotary is widely recognized for its role in the global effort to eradicate polio, a campaign it began in the late 1980s.
But its reach goes well beyond a single program.
Across Africa, Rotary has supported literacy initiatives, medical missions, microfinance projects, and clean water systems.
In Nigeria, local Rotary clubs have helped equip schools, build boreholes, and support hospitals.
In East Africa, Rotary has partnered with agencies to improve access to safe water. Across the continent, members have contributed to peacebuilding projects in conflict-affected areas.
An Engineer Turned Leader
Babalola began his career after graduating with a degree in engineering in 1988. He joined the oil and gas industry, spending more than two decades with Shell PLC.
At Shell, he held senior management positions and worked on projects in different parts of the world, an experience that sharpened his skills in managing people, processes, and complex operations.
After his years in corporate employment, he founded Riviera Services Ltd., an oil and gas infrastructure delivery firm, and Lead and Change Consulting, an advisory practice focused on leadership development and organizational performance.
His entrepreneurial work underscored his ability to build organizations from the ground up while mentoring professionals and guiding institutions through change.
He is also active in professional associations, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Association of Change Management Practitioners, reflecting his interest in continuous learning and professional standards.
A Rotary Career Spanning Four Decades
Babalola’s own Rotary journey began in 1988 as a Rotaractor, and he joined the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt in 1994. Over the years, he rose through the leadership ranks.
He served as District Governor in 2011–12, was a Rotary International Director from 2018 to 2020, and served as Vice President of Rotary International in 2019–20.
One of his most visible assignments was his long involvement with polio eradication.
He was a member of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee from 2017 to 2023 and has served on Nigeria’s National PolioPlus Committee since 2013, acting as an adviser since 2016.
His contributions coincided with Nigeria being declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, a milestone that required years of vaccination campaigns and advocacy.
Humanitarian Work Beyond Rotary
Beyond Rotary, Babalola has contributed to humanitarian organizations that focus on immediate relief and long-term health solutions.
He is a trustee of ShelterBox UK, which provides shelter and emergency supplies to families displaced by disasters, and a director of the Safe Blood Africa Project, which seeks to improve access to safe blood products across the continent.
His personal philanthropy within Rotary is also significant.
He is a member of the Arch Klumph Society, reserved for major donors to The Rotary Foundation, and has endowed a named fund that supports the organization’s work.
For his service, Babalola has received multiple honors, including the Africa Centennial Heroes Award, the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World, Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award, and
The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.
These recognitions highlight not only his leadership but also his long-term commitment to humanitarian service.
A Historic Appointment
Babalola’s selection as Rotary International president is only the second time an African has been chosen for the role.
The first was Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, also from Nigeria, who served in 2003–04.
The appointment has been acknowledged at the highest levels of Nigerian government.
In a statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said:
“As you prepare to assume office, you can count on our support and encouragement to continue championing humanitarian causes, fostering international partnerships, and promoting the spirit of service to humanity.”
Tinubu described the election as “a testament to his years of service through the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Rotary International, his laudable philanthropic initiatives, and relentless pursuit of projects that have impacted lives, strengthened communities, and advanced peace, progress, and human dignity.”
The President added that Babalola’s appointment “will inspire millions of Nigerians, especially the younger generation, by demonstrating that anyone can achieve global recognition and lead transformative change with vision, integrity, and dedication to service.”
Why It Matters for Africa
Babalola’s presidency holds significance beyond Rotary itself. Africa is home to around 40,000 Rotary members across more than 2,000 clubs.
While still a fraction of global membership, these clubs are often embedded in communities facing pressing challenges from underfunding.
Having an African president provides visibility to these realities within Rotary’s global agenda and opens opportunities for stronger regional engagement.
It also signals the continent’s growing role in shaping the leadership of international civic organisations.
Representation at the highest levels matters: it allows African priorities, experiences, and innovations in community-based service to inform global strategy.
For young professionals and volunteers, it offers a model of leadership that connects local service to international influence.
Looking Ahead
When he assumes office in July 2026, Babalola will be tasked with leading Rotary at a time of both continuity and change.
Polio eradication remains unfinished, but Rotary is also increasing its attention on climate resilience, peacebuilding, and addressing economic and health disparities.
For Africa, his presidency represents both recognition and opportunity.
With his roots in Nigeria and understanding of the continent’s challenges, he brings to Rotary’s leadership a voice grounded in the realities of communities where Rotary’s work has been most impactful.
For Rotary, his election offers continuity of vision and an expanded global perspective.
