A Nigerian, Yinka Babalola, has been named the President-elect of Rotary International for the 2026/2027 Rotary year, becoming the second African and Nigerian to lead the global humanitarian organisation.
Rotary’s Board of Directors confirmed his selection following the resignation of SangKoo Yun, who stepped down to focus on recovery after cancer treatment. Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, will officially assume office on July 1, 2026, according to a statement by Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Africa Zone 22, Region 27, Ibim Semenitari.
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International unites over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries and territories. The organisation is widely recognised for its efforts to eradicate polio through the PolioPlus programme, as well as its projects in disaster relief, clean water, sanitation, education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and peacebuilding.
Babalola joined Rotary in 1994 after six years as a Rotaractor and has since held key leadership positions, including District Governor (2011/12), Rotary International Vice President (2019/20), and Board Member (2018/20). He also played a central role in the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign and continues to advise the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.
Beyond Rotary, Babalola is an engineer, attorney, and founder of Riviera Services Ltd. and Lead and Change Consulting. With more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, he has served in senior roles at Shell PLC across four continents.
A committed supporter of The Rotary Foundation, he contributes through a named endowment and membership in the Arch Klumph Society. He also serves as a trustee of ShelterBox UK and director of the Safe Blood Africa project.
The first Nigerian to lead Rotary International was Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, who served from 2003 to 2004.
