Bolaji Agbede Appointed Interim CEO Of Access Holdings.

Access Corporation, the parent company of Access Bank, has named Bolaji Agbede, an executive director, as the interim CEO following the passing of Herbert Wigwe. The appointment was announced by Access Holdings on Tuesday morning.

In a statement released on the NGX, Abubakar Jimoh, the chairman of Access Holdings, stated, “Agbede’s appointment aligns with our strong succession planning practices. As the company’s most senior executive, we are confident that Agbede will provide the necessary leadership to guide the company towards its strategic goals.”

After the tragic incident involving the demise of Wigwe, his wife, son, and others, including Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, on a helicopter, Access Holdings saw a 6.26 percent drop in its share price on Monday.

Agbede’s appointment as acting GCEO is pending regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and an MBA from Cranfield University in 2002. Additionally, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

Before this role, she served as the bank’s most senior founding Executive Director in Business Support for two years. With 21 years at Access Bank, she initially joined as the Assistant General Manager overseeing the bank’s chemical trading companies. She boasts over 27 years of experience in Human Resources management, customer relationship management, and banking operations. Her expertise includes successful integration during mergers and acquisitions, culture transformation, and execution of corporate strategies. She previously held the position of the bank’s head of Group Human Resources for 12 years from 2010 to 2022.

Bolaji Agbede’s appointment as the interim CEO of Access Holdings was met with a mix of sorrow and hope within the company and the financial industry. Following the unexpected passing of Herbert Wigwe and other prominent figures, the urgency for stable leadership became evident. Agbede’s rise from Assistant General Manager to the bank’s top executive was characterized by dedication, proficiency, and a commitment to excellence. Her educational background in Mathematics and Statistics, coupled with an MBA from Cranfield University, provided her with a solid footing to navigate the complexities of the banking industry. Her extensive experience in Human Resources management, customer relationship management, and banking operations set her forward as a seasoned professional capable of leading Access Corporation forward. Renowned for her adept handling of people, overseeing mergers, and executing corporate strategies, Agbede’s proven track record demonstrated her ability to steer the company towards success.

As she assumes her new role, all eyes are on Agbede to offer the much-needed stability and foresight during this challenging period. Pending regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the official endorsement of her appointment will mark a new chapter for Access Corporation under Agbede’s guidance.