Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr Innocent Ike as its new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
Ike’s appointment marks a significant shift in leadership as the company moves into the post-Herbert Wigwe era, with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede consolidating his leadership role as Chairman.
This announcement follows the recent resignation of Roosevelt Ogbonna from Access Holdings’ board, in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) corporate governance rules.
Ogbonna’s departure, along with the exit of long-serving director Seyi Kumapayi earlier this year, signals a major restructuring effort within the group. These moves are in line with Access Holdings’ commitment to strengthening its governance and aligning with regulatory guidelines.
A New Phase of Leadership
Ike’s appointment comes as the company seeks to adapt to new corporate governance standards while building on the legacy of its late CEO, Herbert Wigwe. Aig-Imoukhuede, who stepped in to lead Access Holdings after Wigwe’s passing in 2024, has now secured a clear leadership direction for the company.
Under Aig-Imoukhuede’s chairmanship, the group is positioning itself for future growth and stability.
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In his first role as substantive CEO, Ike succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who has served as Acting GMD/CEO for the past 18 months.
Agbede’s leadership was widely commended, especially for steering the group through a difficult period, maintaining workforce stability, and completing a successful N351 billion rights issue. She will now return to her position as Executive Director, Business Support.
Aig-Imoukhuede expressed his gratitude for Agbede’s invaluable contributions: “Bolaji’s leadership during a challenging time was crucial in maintaining stability, and her guidance remains deeply appreciated as we transition to this new phase.”
Innocent Ike: A Seasoned Leader
Innocent Ike brings over 30 years of banking and financial services experience to his new role. A graduate of the University of Lagos with a degree in accounting, Ike is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
He is also a certified IFRS expert.
Ike’s career includes a decade at Access Bank, where he rose to the position of General Manager, overseeing corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios. He later served as the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he was instrumental in launching VULTe, the bank’s award-winning digital banking platform.
“I am honoured to take on this role and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings,” Ike said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, driving our vision forward, and delivering exceptional value to shareholders and stakeholders.”
Roosevelt Ogbonna’s Departure: A Strategic Move
Ike’s appointment comes shortly after Roosevelt Ogbonna’s resignation from the HoldCo board, a decision that has drawn attention within the banking industry.
Ogbonna, a well-known figure in the Nigerian banking sector and the current MD of Access Bank, oversaw over 90% of the group’s revenues and 95% of its total assets.
His absence from the HoldCo board marks a significant change for the group.
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Sources close to Ogbonna clarified that his resignation was a collective decision by the board, made to comply with the CBN’s 2023 corporate governance guidelines, which limit HoldCo boards to a maximum of nine members.
This move was not driven by internal conflict, contrary to some speculation.
A Defining Moment for Access Holdings
The leadership changes at Access Holdings—beginning with Kumapayi’s departure, followed by Ogbonna’s resignation, and now Ike’s appointment—represent a crucial period of transformation for the group.
Established in 2022 through a scheme of arrangement between Access Bank Plc and its shareholders, the group has rapidly expanded into 17 markets across Africa and beyond.
As the company moves forward, stakeholders are watching closely to see how Aig-Imoukhuede’s leadership will balance regulatory demands, expand into new markets, and stay competitive in an evolving financial services landscape.
With Ike’s appointment, Access Holdings is now poised to enter the next chapter of its growth story, leveraging its deep financial expertise and expanding market reach to solidify its position as one of Africa’s most diversified financial institutions
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
