Access Holdings Plc, a leading financial institution, announced today the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) in the wake of the untimely demise of the former GCEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, in the United States.
In a statement released on Monday, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc stated, “Following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company.”
Ms. Agbede, an experienced professional with nearly three decades in banking and business consultancy services, joined Access Bank in 2003 and has held various key positions within the organization. Notably, she served as Head of Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022, after which she assumed the role of the company’s founding Executive Director, Business Support.
Bolaji Agbede, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University UK in 2002, is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
The appointment of Ms. Agbede is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Abubakar Jimoh, chairman of Access Holdings, stated, “The appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede is in alignment with our robust succession planning practices. We are strongly convinced that 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.”
Access Holdings Plc expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic incident and remains committed to continuing its operations under the capable leadership of Ms. Bolaji Agbede.