On 23 February 1905, in a modest office in Chicago, Illinois, a young lawyer named Paul Percy Harris gathered three friends for a simple meeting that would spark one of the greatest humanitarian movements in human history.
What began as a fellowship of professionals seeking friendship, integrity, and ethical conduct soon grew into a global force for good, service, and peace — Rotary International.
From that single gathering emerged a timeless philosophy that has guided millions across generations and continents: Service Above Self.
Paul Harris once said, ‘Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves’.
Those results, measured in lives saved, communities transformed, conflicts resolved, diseases conquered, and hope restored, have defined Rotary’s 121-year journey.
Today, Rotary International stands proudly as the world’s largest humanitarian service organization, uniting over 1.4 million Rotarians in more than 46,000 clubs across over 200 countries and geographical areas, delivering sustainable solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Rotary exists to serve humanity, promote integrity, foster goodwill, and advance peace. It brings together business, professional, and community leaders who commit their time, resources, influence, and skills to create lasting change locally and globally.
At the heart of Rotary’s philosophy lies its ethical compass — The Four-Way Test, a universal moral code translated into over 100 languages and practiced daily by Rotarians worldwide:
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
For 121 years, Rotary has reshaped societies across continents through purposeful action in its seven strategic areas of focus: Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Economic Development, and Environmental Protection.
These pillars serve as Rotary’s global roadmap, guiding projects that heal, educate, empower, uplift, and restore dignity to millions.
Rotary’s fingerprints can be found across history — from rebuilding war-ravaged communities to restoring clean water in rural villages, from promoting literacy to championing gender equality, from youth leadership development to disaster relief interventions.
Rotary is where service meets structure, compassion meets competence, and goodwill meets global impact.
Rotary’s historic relationship with the United Nations dates back to 1945, when Rotarians served as key advisers during the founding conference of the UN in San Francisco. Today, Rotary maintains consultative status with the United Nations, collaborating on global peacebuilding, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian development, strongly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Among Rotary’s countless humanitarian triumphs, none shines brighter than its historic PolioPlus Initiative, launched in 1985. What seemed an impossible dream — to eradicate a crippling disease from the face of the earth — became Rotary’s defining global mission. Through unwavering advocacy, partnerships with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and relentless grassroots immunization campaigns, Rotary invested over $2.6 billion, helping to immunize more than 3 billion children worldwide. Polio cases were reduced by 99.9% globally, culminating in a historic moment in August 2020, when Nigeria and the entire African continent were officially certified wild-polio-free — one of humanity’s greatest public health victories.
At the center of Rotary’s humanitarian engine stands The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917. It remains one of the world’s most respected philanthropic foundations, funding Rotary’s global projects through District Grants, Global Grants, Peace Fellowships, Vocational Training Teams, Disaster Response Funds, and Endowment Programs. Through the Foundation, Rotarians convert generosity into measurable impact, ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainability in all projects.
One of Rotary’s most prestigious honours is the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), named after Rotary’s founder. This recognition is conferred upon individuals who donate $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation or have that amount contributed in their name.
Over time, Rotary created progressive recognition categories to encourage sustained philanthropy. These include:
Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) — $1,000
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow (Sapphire levels) — $2,000 to $8,000
Ruby Paul Harris Fellow — $10,000
Diamond Paul Harris Fellow — $15,000 to $20,000
Major Donor Levels — $10,000 to $100,000
Arch Klumph Society — $250,000 and above
These honors reflect Rotary’s deep culture of giving, sacrifice, and humanitarian responsibility.
Rotary formally arrived in Nigeria in 1961, marking the birth of one of Africa’s most dynamic Rotary movements. Nigeria became the 32nd African nation to join Rotary’s global family. The pioneering clubs were established in Kano on 28 April 1961; Lagos on 30 May 1961; and Ibadan on 24 November 1961. From these foundational pillars, Rotary spread rapidly across Nigeria’s regions — north, south, east, and west — planting seeds of service, leadership, and community transformation.
By 1973, Nigerian clubs were grouped under District 210, alongside other West African nations. In 1972/73, Rotarian Anofi Guobadia became Nigeria’s first District Governor, marking indigenous leadership. In 1980/81, Rotarian Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, SAN, OFR governed the district, laying structural foundations that would shape Nigeria’s independent Rotary future.
In 1982, Nigeria emerged as a standalone district — District 911 — under the visionary leadership of Past District Governor Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, whose transformational administration expanded Rotary nationwide, ultimately giving rise to the multiple districts operating across Nigeria today.
Nigeria’s Rotary journey reached historic heights when Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, SAN, OFR, became Rotary International President (2003–2004), making him the first African to hold Rotary’s highest global office. His tenure elevated Africa’s voice within global Rotary leadership.
History was made again with the emergence of Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, as Rotary International President for (2026–2027). A former RI Vice President, Board Director, District Governor, Arch Klumph Society member, and frontline global polio eradication champion, his presidency reaffirms Nigeria’s enduring leadership footprint in Rotary’s global architecture.
Across six decades, Rotary Nigeria has transformed countless communities through medical outreaches, maternal and child healthcare programs, clean water projects, education scholarships, ICT learning centers, youth leadership development initiatives, vocational empowerment schemes, economic development projects, disaster relief responses, and peacebuilding interventions.
From remote villages to urban communities, Rotary remains Nigeria’s most structured, far-reaching, and impactful humanitarian movement.
Rotary’s leadership structure is globally anchored by its Board of Directors, led by the Rotary International President, supported by Vice Presidents, Trustees of The Rotary Foundation, Past Presidents, Zone Directors, District Governors, Assistant Governors, Club Presidents, and committee systems that ensure effective governance, accountability, and continuity.
Globally, Rotary is organised into over 500+ districts, enabling localized service delivery with international coordination.
Rotary operates in over 200 countries and geographical regions, transcending politics, religion, race, culture, and ideology — united by one shared mission: to serve humanity.
To be a Rotarian is to live by integrity, compassion, service, leadership, and friendship. It means giving time, talent, influence, and resources to uplift others.
Membership is by invitation, extended by an existing Rotarian to professionals and leaders of good character who demonstrate commitment to service and ethical values.
The benefits of being a Rotarian are immense. Among them are lifelong friendships, leadership development, professional networking, personal growth, humanitarian fulfillment, global exposure, business ethics training, youth mentorship opportunities, peace advocacy, and the privilege of impacting lives across continents.
Rotary’s timeless quotes echo across generations:
‘He profits most who serves best’.
‘Service Above Self’.
‘Give me your hand, my friend — Rotary is good’.
Paul Harris captured Rotary’s spirit when he declared:
‘This is a changing world. We must be prepared to change with it’.
‘The greatest gift you can give is your time’.
Past Rotary International Presidents have consistently reinforced this ethos, reminding Rotarians that service is not an option — it is a duty.
As Rotary celebrates 121 years, its legacy shines brighter than ever — a legacy of compassion, courage, sacrifice, leadership, and hope.
From Chicago to Kano, from Lagos to Port Harcourt, from Ibadan to Abuja, Rotary continues to build bridges, heal wounds, uplift humanity, and inspire generations.
Rotary is not just an organisation. It is a movement. It is a calling. It is a way of life.
Service Above Self — yesterday, today, and forever.
‘Give me your hand, my friend — Rotary is good’.
Rotarian Prince Adeyemi Shonibare
CP- Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa.
