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LAGOS, Nigeria – The Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) deeply regrets to announce the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the esteemed Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary – Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).
Dr. Wigwe, alongside his wife and son, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in the United States of America on Friday, February 9, 2024.
In a statement released to StarTrend Int’l magazine and online, the entire Access Family mourns the untimely loss of Dr. Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones.
“Dr. Wigwe was an extraordinary driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought unparalleled passion, energy, and expertise to the transformation of the Access franchise since his inception with the Bank in 2002.”
Reflecting on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings, remarked, “The Access Family grieves the passing of Dr. Wigwe, a cherished friend and outstanding gentleman.
“His intellect, personal integrity, and extensive business acumen significantly contributed to the success of the Access Family, for which we are deeply indebted. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”
Dr. Wigwe played a pivotal role in the evolution of Access Bank, which he co-founded alongside his close associate and business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.
Assuming the position of Access Bank Group CEO in 2014, he spearheaded the Bank’s expansion within Nigeria and across Africa before assuming leadership at Access Holdings in 2022. Under his stewardship, Access Bank solidified its position as Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Dr. Wigwe served on the boards of Access Bank UK, the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA), and the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company.
He was a tireless advocate for malaria eradication in Africa, collaborating with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria to advance this cause. Dr. Wigwe’s commitment to excellence earned him two African Banker of the Year awards, and he remained a fervent supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Wigwe’s academic achievements include a degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an MA in Banking and Finance from Bangor University, and an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London. He also completed the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme.
In his final endeavour, Dr. Wigwe founded Wigwe University, Africa’s premier Ivy League institution dedicated to nurturing future leaders.
Access Holdings Plc is a leading multinational financial services group offering commercial banking, lending, payment, insurance, and asset management services.
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Access Holdings operates across three continents, serving over 60 million customers through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets.
Access Holdings endeavors to deliver sustainable economic growth, prioritizing profitability, environmental stewardship, and social impact, empowering customers to realize their aspirations.Bottom of Form
