Holger Knaack, chairman of Rotary Foundation and past president of Rotary International, is set to visit Nigeria on November 1.
The week-long working visit is aimed at strengthening Rotary’s fight against polio and expanding its health impact programmes across the country.
A statement by Ibim Semenitari, Rotary public image coordinator for zone 22, region 27, said Knaack will be accompanied by his wife, Susanne, during the visit, which will run from November 1 to 7.
The visit will focus on deepening Rotary’s collaboration with government agencies and health partners, including the federal ministry of health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), to improve health outcomes for Nigerians.
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As part of the programme, Knaack is expected to participate in a polio immunisation field exercise and tour project sites under Rotary’s ‘Programme of Scale – Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria’, which promotes maternal and child health in the federal capital territory (FCT) and Akwa Ibom state.
Semenitari said the visit underscores Rotary’s long-term commitment to building resilient health systems beyond the eradication of polio.
Yinka Babalola, Rotary International president-elect, said Rotary’s work in Nigeria continues to inspire the world.
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“Our goal goes beyond ending polio — we are building systems that ensure families remain healthy and resilient,” he said.
Also speaking, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, trustee of The Rotary Foundation, highlighted the tangible impact of Rotary’s initiatives.
“From life-saving vaccines to empowering mothers, The Rotary Foundation turns generosity into sustainable change. Our projects in Nigeria are a true reflection of service and compassion in action,” she said.
The high-level visit will include meetings with top government officials, Rotary leaders, and donor partners, as well as appreciation events to honour individuals and organisations supporting Rotary’s global health goals.
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Rotary International has been a leading partner in the global effort to eradicate polio for over three decades, working alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Through sustained vaccination campaigns, surveillance, and community mobilisation, Nigeria was declared wild polio-free in 2020, marking a major milestone in the global fight against the disease.
Knaack’s visit is expected to reaffirm Rotary’s support for Nigeria’s health sector, particularly in strengthening immunisation systems and advancing maternal and child health initiatives across the country.
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