Holding Company Access Promotes Ike to Group CEO in Rapid Leadership Reshuffle Spanning 48 Hours
Access Holdings Plc, Nigeria's largest lender by assets, has announced the appointment of Innocent Ike as its new CEO, effective from August 29, 2024. This decision comes after a period of transition and tragedy at the company, following the tragic death of co-founder Herbert Wigwe.
The appointment ends the interim tenure of Bolaji Agbede, who will revert to her role as Executive Director for Business Support. Agbede, who was appointed on an interim basis in February 2024, is credited with ensuring workforce stability during her tenure and executing a crucial N351 billion ($234 million) rights issue.
The statement on the Nigerian bourse expressed gratitude to Agbede for her contributions over the past 18 months. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, also thanked Agbede for her service, stating that her leadership during this challenging time was invaluable.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, who stepped down from his position as a non-executive director at Access Holdings Plc, will focus solely on his role as CEO of Access Bank Plc, effective 24 hours prior to the announcement. Ogbonna's decision was in response to new Central Bank of Nigeria corporate governance guidelines aimed at strengthening the independence between a holding company's board and its subsidiaries.
Ike, who spent a decade at Access Bank, rising to the level of General Manager, returns to the group after serving as CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he was credited with driving its digital transformation. Ike expressed his enthusiasm to build on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede.
The rapid-fire appointments suggest a decisive move by the board to establish a stable, long-term leadership structure. The appointments also indicate an alignment with stricter regulatory demands. With Ike at the helm, Access Holdings Plc is now a $16.6 billion corporation.
As the new CEO, Ike will be tasked with leading Access Holdings Plc into a new era of growth and success. His experience and proven track record make him an ideal candidate for the role. The company looks forward to a bright future under his leadership.
