Access Bank, a prominent Nigerian financial institution, has appointed an interim CEO following the tragic loss of Herbert Wigwe, the CEO, who passed away in a helicopter accident last Friday, alongside five others.
In a recent statement, Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank, disclosed that Bolaji Agbede, the bank’s esteemed senior founding executive director, will assume the role of CEO on an acting basis.
Ms. Agbede, who joined Access Bank in 2003, brings nearly 30 years of experience in banking and business consultancy, as reported by the BBC.
Wigwe’s chartered helicopter was en route from Palm Springs to Boulder City in Nevada, USA, when it crashed approximately 96km (60 miles) from Las Vegas.
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The 57-year-old banker was traveling to Las Vegas to attend Sunday’s Super Bowl, according to local media reports.
Wigwe, who founded Access Bank in 1989, spearheaded its growth to become one of Nigeria’s largest banks by 2018, following its acquisition of its main competitor, Diamond Bank.
More About Bolaji Agbede
Ms. Agbede is a seasoned professional with over 27 years of experience in Human Resources management, customer relationship management, and banking operations. She has a track record of successfully integrating people during mergers and acquisitions, transforming culture, and executing corporate strategies.
Starting her career at Guaranty Trust Bank, Ms. Agbede held various roles including Relationship Manager and Vault Custodian, demonstrating her dedication and rising swiftly from Executive Trainee to Manager by 2001. She then became CEO of JKG Limited, a business consulting firm, in 2003.
Joining Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager, she managed the bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. Since 2010, she has served as Head of HR for Access Bank Group, overseeing human capital development.
Ms. Agbede holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and earned an MBA from Cranfield University in 2002. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. She has participated in renowned leadership and professional development programs such as the High-Performance Leadership Programme by IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme by London Business School.
