Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Rivers State has been selected as Rotary International President for the 2026-27 year, beginning on 1 July 2026.
A former Rotary International Vice President, Babalola will become the second Nigerian – and African – in the 120-year history of the world’s largest service organisation to serve in that exalted position.
Twenty 22 years ago, Rotarian Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe broke the jinx to serve as Rotary International President for the 2003-04 year. He was also the first Nigerian and first African to achieve this role, which he used to advocate for polio eradication and address poverty.
Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo said on Thursday that Babalola has accepted the nomination and would immediately become the Rotary President Elect.
Arezzo said: ‘Yinka began his Rotary journey at the age of 22, participating as a Rotaractor from 1988 to 1994, then joining his current Rotary club in 1994. An attorney and executive in the energy sector in Nigeria, Yinka supports the Rotary Foundation with a named endowment and is an Arch Klumph Society member.
‘This year, as we Unite for Good, we should take this opportunity to unite across time, building connections with the leaders past and future, and ensuring continuity in our efforts, working together to grow Rotary and the increase impact of our service.
‘I look forward to working with President Elect Yinka to help lead Rotary to new heights’.
In a statement, Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Africa, Rotarian Ibim Semenitari said that Babalola was selected by the Rotary International Board of Directors following the resignation of SangKoo Yun, who stepped down to focus on recovery after cancer treatment.
He joined Rotary in 1994, six years after starting out as a Rotaractor in 1988. His leadership journey has seen him serve as District Governor (2011-12), Vice President of Rotary International (2019-20), and a member of the RI Board (2018 to 2020). He has also played active roles on high-profile committees, including the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, where he continues to serve as adviser.
Beyond Rotary, Babalola is an accomplished professional. An engineer by training and an attorney, he has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, having held senior positions with Shell PLC across four continents. He is founder of Riviera Services Limited, an oil and gas infrastructure company, and Lead and Change Consulting, an executive coaching and advisory firm.
His professional affiliations span the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Safety Professionals, and the Association of Change Management Practitioners. He also belongs to the Jericho Business Club in his home city of Port Harcourt, where he and his wife, Preba, reside.
A passionate Rotarian and philanthropist, Babalola supports The Rotary Foundation through a named endowment and as a member of the Arch Klumph Society. His humanitarian footprint extends to service as a trustee of ShelterBox United Kingdom and as director of the Safe Blood Africa project. His service has earned him several honours, including the Africa Centennial Heroes Award, the RI Service Above Self Award, and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.
The Rotary International President serves a one-year term, providing inspirational leadership, presiding over the Board of Directors, and representing the organisation globally.
Babalola’s election is being celebrated across Nigeria and Africa as another proud moment of continental leadership on the global stage.
