Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Bolaji Agbede as the acting group chief executive officer following the tragic passing of Herbert Wigwe. Wigwe, who served as the Group's Chief Executive Officer, lost his life in a helicopter crash in the US alongside his wife, son, and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Access Holdings swiftly named Agbede the company’s new chief in response to this unexpected loss. The announcement came just two days after the devastating air mishap, which sent shockwaves through the banking sector and beyond.
"Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024," Access Holdings said in a statement by its secretary, Sunday Ekwochi. "The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria."
Before her new role, Agbede served as Access Holdings' most senior founding executive director in charge of business support. Chairman of the Company, Abubakar Jimoh, praised her leadership qualities, stating, "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 of building a globally connected community and ecosystem, inspired by Africa for the world."
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Agbede brings over 30 years of experience in banking and business consulting services to her new position. She commenced her career at Guaranty Trust Bank in 1992. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Canfield University, UK, obtained in 2002.
As Access Holdings navigates this transition period, Agbede's wealth of experience and leadership acumen will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in guiding the company forward in achieving its strategic objectives.
