Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
The company announced the appointment in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, noting that Ike succeeds Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has served in an acting capacity for the past 18 months. Agbede, who stepped in after the death of former CEO Herbert Wigwe, will return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support, in line with regulatory requirements on years of experience for a holding company CEO.
Access Holdings praised Agbede’s leadership during the transition, highlighting her role in stabilising the group, overseeing its N351 billion rights issue, and ensuring smooth annual general meetings. “Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable,” Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said.
Ike, a banker with over 30 years of experience, was Managing Director of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he introduced the award-winning digital platform VULTe. He also spent a decade at Access Bank, rising to General Manager with responsibilities across corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios.
Reacting to his appointment, Ike said he was honoured to lead the group and pledged to build on the legacies of Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede. “I look forward to driving our vision forward and delivering exceptional value to shareholders and stakeholders,” he said.
Access Holdings reaffirmed its ambition to become the “World’s Most Respected African Financial Services Group” and expressed confidence in Ike’s ability to steer its next phase of growth.
