A Nigerian and president-elect of Rotary International, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, will be inaugurated on Wednesday as the global leader of one of the world’s largest humanitarian service organisation.

Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Nigeria, becomes only the second African to serve as president of Rotary International, which has more than 45,000 clubs worldwide.

Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe was the first Nigerian (and first African) president of Rotary International, serving his term during the 2003–2004 Rotary year.

In a statement, Rotary International said Babalola’s one-year tenure will focus on strengthening the organisation’s role in peacebuilding and advancing sustainable, community-led solutions to local and global challenges.

“Rotary gives people the opportunity not only to make a difference in their communities, but also to grow through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of different perspectives,” Babalola said.

“At a time when many societies face division and uncertainty, I believe Rotary has an important role to play in building understanding, advancing peace, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive.

“As president, I look forward to highlighting and strengthening that impact around the world.”

Rotary said Babalola brings decades of experience in community development, peacebuilding and public health initiatives across Africa. He has also been actively involved with Rotary’s Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda.

As president, Babalola will oversee Rotary’s continued efforts to eradicate polio globally, a campaign that remains one of the organisation’s flagship initiatives.

According to Rotary International, the organisation has helped reduce polio cases worldwide by 99.9 percent and has contributed more than $3 billion, alongside extensive volunteer support, to protect over three billion children through its partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Babalola has played a key role in those efforts, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.

Over the past century, Rotary International, through its charitable arm, the Rotary Foundation, has provided more than $5.5 billion in grants and support for projects focused on disease prevention, peacebuilding, clean water access, education, maternal and child health, and economic development in communities around the world.