Access Holdings Appoints Innocent Ike as CEO Following Regulatory Approval
- Access Holdings appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/CEO, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
- He takes over from Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who served in an acting capacity after the death of former CEO Herbert Wigwe in 2024.
- Ike, a seasoned banking professional with over 30 years of experience, aims to build on the legacy of his predecessors
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After receiving regulatory approval, Access Holdings Plc named Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
In accordance with new corporate governance guidelines published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Roosevelt Ogbonna resigned from the business's board just hours prior.
The declaration was made in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Sunday Ekwochi, the company secretary.
Ike takes over from Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has managed the company in an acting capacity for the past 18 months after the death of former Group CEO Herbert Wigwe in 2024. She will now resume her position as the Business Support Executive Director.
According to the announcement, Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said Ike’s appointment signifies a new phase for the firm. He said, “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. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”
The company accomplished significant milestones under Agbede's direction, such as stable employment, the successful completion of a N351 billion rights offering, and the smooth holding of two yearly public meetings.
Speaking about the appointment, Ike said, “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.”
Source: Getty Images
Ike, the 1988 Best Graduating Student in Accounting from the University of Lagos, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Having worked in banking and financial services for over 30 years, Ike was the General Manager of Access Bank for 10 years before becoming the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, when he launched the bank's award-winning digital platform, VULTe.
Access Holdings confirms Access Bank CEO's resignation
Legit.ng reported that Access Holdings Plc has announced the resignation of Roosevelt Ogbonna from its board, where he served as a non-executive director.
The company disclosed the development in a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group on Tuesday, August 27, 2025, signed by its company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.
According to the disclosure, Ogbonna stepped down after serving on the board for more than three years.
Source: Legit.ng
