Access holdings names Innocent Ike as CEO

Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr Innocent Ike as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, in a move signalling stability and compliance with regulatory standards.

The decision ends the 18-month acting tenure of Ms Bolaji Agbede, who stepped in after the passing of the group’s founder, Herbert Wigwe. While praised for steering the company through a turbulent transition, Agbede will now return to her substantive role as Executive Director, Business Support, as the company aligns leadership with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s experience requirements for financial holding company CEOs.

During her tenure, Ms. Agbede steered Access Holdings Plc through key milestones, including maintaining workforce stability and ensuring a smooth leadership transition after the passing of the former Group CEO.

She also oversaw the successful execution of the company’s ₦351 billion rights issue and the seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

Commenting on the development, the company’s Chairman, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Ms Bolaji Agbede.

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“Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.”

Mr Ike brings over three decades of banking experience, including 10 years at Access Bank, where he rose to General Manager with oversight of corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios.

Most notably, he served as CEO of Polaris Bank between 2020 and 2022, where he launched VULTe, its digital banking platform, earning multiple industry awards. A chartered accountant and fellow of both ICAN and CIBN, Ike was also the best graduating student of accounting at the University of Lagos in 1988.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders, ” Mr Ike said.