Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Innocent Ike, has assumed office today, 29 August 2025, promising to build on the legacies of late Herbert Wigwe and acting CEO, Bolaji Agbede, in the financial institution.
Access Holdings had announced Ike’s appointment on Wednesday, following regulatory approval, with effect from 29 August 2025.
Ike succeeds Agbede, who had been leading the company in acting capacity since the death of former Group CEO Herbert Wigwe in February 2024.
Agbede will now return to her position as Executive Director, Business Support.
In a statement released on Friday, signed by the company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, welcomed Mr Ike, stating that the new appointment signals a fresh phase for the company.
Aig-Imoukhuede expressed gratitude to Agbede, noting that she made an invaluable contribution towards the success of the bank in the past 18 months.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mr Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms Bolaji Agbede. Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the company through challenges and opportunities,” the chairman stated.
Under Agbede’s leadership, Access Holdings achieved significant milestones, such as workforce stability, a ₦351bn rights issue, and the successful hosting of two annual general meetings.
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Ike said he is honoured to be appointed as GMD/GCEO of Access Holdings, adding that he would be excited to work with the company’s talented team to achieve significant results.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders,” Ike stated.
Ike is an experienced Nigerian banker and financial sector executive with over three decades of professional expertise.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and holds certification as an IFRS expert.
Ike obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos in 1988, earning the distinction of Best Graduating Student.
His banking career, which began at Guaranty Trust Bank, saw him work in various capacities, rising to the position of General Manager and later taking up the role of Executive Director for Technology and Services at Polaris Bank before becoming its Managing Director/CEO from 2020 to 2022.
During his tenure as MD/CEO, Ike introduced the acclaimed digital banking platform, VULTe.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
