Access Holdings Plc has named Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval. His appointment brings to a close the 18-month tenure of Bolaji Agbede, who stepped in as Acting Group CEO after the passing of Herbert Wigwe in February 2024.
Agbede, a long-serving executive, was widely commended for her stewardship during one of the company’s most challenging periods. She successfully navigated regulatory headwinds, reassured investors, and steered the group through major milestones, including the execution of a ₦351 billion rights issue and the seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings. She will now return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support.
“Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities,” said Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede in a regulatory filing. “While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”
Ike’s appointment represents a significant leadership reset for Access Holdings, the parent company of Nigeria’s largest bank by assets. A seasoned banker with over three decades of experience, Ike spent 10 years at Access Bank, rising to General Manager with oversight of corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios. He later served as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank between 2020 and 2022, where he introduced VULTe, its award-winning digital banking platform.
A First-Class graduate of Accounting from the University of Lagos, Ike was the institution’s best graduating accounting student in 1988. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and a Certified IFRS expert.
“I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede,” Ike said in his acceptance statement. “My focus will be on delivering exceptional value to shareholders, customers, and stakeholders.”
With operations across more than a dozen African countries and a growing presence in Europe and Asia, Access Holdings said Ike’s appointment aligns with its ambition to become the “world’s most respected African financial services group.”
