Tunji Funsho, Nigeria’s ‘polio hero’, among TIME’s 100 most influential people

Tunji Funsho, a Nigerian physician who led in efforts to eradicate polio from Africa, has been named among TIME’s 100 most influential people globally in 2020.

Funsho was recognised on the list announced on Wednesday as doing “more than any other person to drive polio to continent-wide extinction”.

Also featured on the list is Tony Elumelu, chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, who was honoured for his years-long investment in African entrepreneurs.

As the chairman of Rotary International’s polio-eradication program in Nigeria, Funsho worked with other partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to achieve Africa’s certification as polio-free on August 25.

In a statement on Wednesday, Rotary International said the doctor is its first member to receive such an honour from TIME in recognition of the organisation’s work to eradicate polio.

The statement quoted him as saying: “I’m honored to be recognized by TIME for my part in ensuring that no child in Africa will ever again be paralyzed by wild polio, a disease that once disabled 75,000 African children every single year.

“Eradicating the wild poliovirus in Africa was a team effort that required cooperation and dedication of governments, partners, Rotary members, hundreds of thousands of health workers, and countless parents who chose to have their children vaccinated against polio.”

TIME said Funsho could have retired as a cardiologist years ago, but, in 2013, “decided to step up” to lead in efforts to eradicate polio from Nigeria and the continent.