In a sudden turn of events, Access Holdings Plc has named Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, following the untimely demise of its former CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe.
Dr. Wigwe tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, son, and former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, on Friday.
A statement released by the company’s Board of Directors on February 12, 2024, confirmed Agbede’s appointment as the Acting CEO, a decision pending the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024. The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement affirmed.
Agbede brings to her new role nearly three decades of professional expertise spanning banking and business consultancy services. Having commenced her journey with Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General, she has since held various pivotal positions within the organization. Notably, she served as Head of Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022 before assuming the role of the company’s founding Executive Director of Business Support in 2022, a position she held until her recent appointment.
Educationally, Agbede holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and obtained her Masters of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University, UK, in 2002. She is also a distinguished member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.