Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, following the tragic passing of Herbert Wigwe, the former Group CEO. Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife, son, and a former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, lost their lives in a helicopter accident in California on February 9, 2024.
The decision to appoint Bolaji Agbede was made by the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc. This appointment comes after a statement released by the company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, which stated, “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 CEO of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024.”
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Bolaji Agbede brings a wealth of experience to her new role, with nearly three decades of professional experience in banking and business consultancy services. She joined Access Bank in 2003 and has since held various roles within the organization. Until her recent appointment, she served as the Company’s most senior founding Executive Director in charge of Business Support.
Ms. Agbede’s professional journey began in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank, where she worked in various capacities within the Commercial Banking and Operations functions, eventually rising to the position of Manager in 2001. She later served as the Chief Executive Officer of JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit, before returning to the banking sector.
Her academic qualifications include 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, in 2002. Additionally, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Despite her extensive experience and qualifications, Ms. Agbede’s appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as per regulatory requirements.