Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a long-serving member of Rotary International, has been elected as the organisation’s president for the 2026-27 term. He will officially take office on July 1, 2026, becoming only the second African to lead Rotary International, following Jonathan B. Majiyagbe who served in 2003-04.
With over 30 years of service in Rotary, Babalola has built a reputation as a dedicated leader, peacebuilder, and global health advocate. His leadership journey has been shaped by his active involvement in peacebuilding initiatives, community development, and polio eradication efforts across Africa.
He has played a key role in Rotary’s Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda, where he has supported Peace Fellows in applying their training through grassroots projects that foster stability and collaboration within communities. Babalola has also been at the forefront of Rotary’s polio eradication work, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.
The African region was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, a milestone to which Babalola contributed. However, outbreaks of variant poliovirus remain a challenge in under-immunized areas, making continued vaccination and surveillance crucial. As the incoming global leader of Rotary’s 45,000 clubs, Babalola will oversee the organisation’s top priority ending polio worldwide.
Rotary International, in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent globally. Collectively, Rotary has contributed over US$2.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 3 billion children from the paralysing disease.
Beyond polio, Babalola’s presidency will focus on Rotary’s core mission areas: promoting peace, improving health, providing clean water, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. Over the past century, Rotary’s charitable arm, The Rotary Foundation, has awarded more than US$5.5 billion to fund sustainable, community-driven projects that deliver lasting impact.
As Babalola prepares to assume leadership, he emphasizes Rotary’s unique role in creating hope, fostering dialogue, and building meaningful relationships worldwide. His presidency is expected to further strengthen Rotary’s global presence and inspire continued progress in service and humanitarian development.
