Bolaji Agbede appointed as new Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) following the tragic passing of its Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, who lost his life in a helicopter crash in the United States on Friday alongside his wife, son, and former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.

The announcement was made on Monday, as part of the company's effort to ensure continuity and stability in its leadership. The Board of Directors conveyed its deep condolences over the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe and officially introduced Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting GCEO.

Ms. Agbede joined Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General, bringing nearly three decades of professional expertise spanning banking and business consultancy services. She held various key positions within Access Bank, including Head of Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022. In 2022, she assumed the role of the company's founding Executive Director, Business Support, a position she held until her recent appointment.

Ms. Agbede holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University in the UK, obtained in 2002. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

The appointment of Bolaji Agbede is pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria, as per regulatory procedures. Access Holdings Plc's commitment to robust succession planning practices ensures a seamless transition in leadership.

Abubakar Jimoh, the Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, expressed confidence in Ms. Agbede's ability to lead the company through this challenging period. "Ms. Agbede, being the company's most senior executive, with exceptionally rich, professional and leadership experience and understanding of the Access culture, would provide the much-needed leadership to steer the company towards the attainment of its strategic vision of building a globally connected community and ecosystem, inspired by Africa for the world," he said.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye