Nigerian Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a veteran member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt, has been elected President of Rotary International for the 2026–2027 term. He will formally assume the role on July 1, 2026.Vanguard News+1Rotary International

Babalola becomes only the second African—and notably, the second Nigerian—to lead this global humanitarian organisation. The first was Jonathan B. Majiyagbe, who served in 2003–2004.Vanguard News+1rotary9212.org

A chair in engineering by training, Babalola spent over 25 years in the oil and gas sector, holding senior roles at Shell PLC, before founding Riviera Technical Services Ltd. and Lead and Change Consulting.Vanguard NewsRotary International

With over 30 years of Rotary service beginning as a Rotaractor in 1988 and joining the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in 1994 Babalola has held key leadership roles including District Governor, Vice President of Rotary International (2019–2020), and Board member (2018–2020).Vanguard NewsRotary Internationalrotary9212.org

He has played central roles in peace-building initiatives across Africa, notably at the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University, Uganda. In addition, he has contributed significantly to global efforts to eradicate polio—serving on the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising Nigeria’s PolioPlus Committee.Vanguard Newsrotary9212.org

As President, Babalola will oversee 45,000 clubs worldwide and reinforce Rotary’s mission, especially its top priority of ending polio. Rotary and its partners have already reduced polio cases globally by 99.9%, dedicating US$2.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 3 billion children.Vanguard News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Babalola’s election as a powerful inspiration for Nigerians and the youth. In a presidential message, Tinubu commended Babalola’s impactful philanthropic initiatives and expressed “support and encouragement” for his future leadership of humanitarian projects and global partnerships.encomium.ngLeadership News