Dr Tunji Funsho will speak at Rotary District 9112 DTLS 2026 in Lagos on leadership ahead of the 2026–2027 Rotary year
Past District Governor Dr Tunji Funsho, a leading public health advocate and key figure in Africa’s polio eradication campaign, has been announced as a guest speaker at the 2026 Rotary International District 9112 District Team Learning Seminar.
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Dr Funsho will speak on the theme, “Leadership: Not for the weak-hearted,” at the seminar scheduled for February 20 and 21, 2026, at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.
The announcement was made by Layi Abidoye, District Governor-elect of Rotary International District 9112, who described the District Team Learning Seminar as a mandatory leadership programme for district officers preparing to serve in the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
Abidoye said the seminar remains central to Rotary’s leadership development framework, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to capacity building, knowledge sharing and service excellence across its global network.
Dr Funsho, a Nigerian cardiologist and Past District Governor, is widely recognised for his pivotal role in the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa. He served as Chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee and now holds the position of Chair Emeritus.
In that role, he led nationwide immunisation campaigns and advocacy efforts in collaboration with partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
A former student of King’s College, Lagos, Dr Funsho trained as a cardiologist and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London.
His medical background laid the foundation for his transition into large-scale public health advocacy, particularly in tackling vaccine hesitancy and strengthening community engagement in underserved areas.
His contributions were instrumental in Nigeria achieving three consecutive years without wild poliovirus, culminating in Africa’s certification as wild polio-free in August 2020.
In recognition of his work, TIME magazine named him among its 100 Most Influential People in 2020, making him the first Rotarian to receive the honour for polio eradication efforts.
At DTLS 2026, Dr Funsho will join other dignitaries, including the Chairman and CEO of Channels Media Group, Dr John Momoh, alongside Rotary leaders from across the district.
Organisers said the presence of high-profile speakers is expected to enrich discussions and inspire participants as they prepare for leadership responsibilities in the coming Rotary year.
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They added that the seminar’s focus on learning, strategic engagement and effective service delivery positions DTLS 2026 as a landmark event for Rotary International District 9112.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
