Onome Amuge
Access Holdings, Nigeria’s largest financial services group by assets, has appointed veteran banker Innocent Ike as its new group managing director and chief executive officer, effective August 29, 2025, after securing regulatory clearance.
The move brings to an end an 18-month interim leadership period under Bolaji Agbede, who will return to her role as executive director, Business Support, in line with regulatory stipulations on the experience required for top executives of financial holding companies.
The appointment underscores the company’s ongoing efforts to consolidate leadership following the untimely passing of Herbert Wigwe, the widely respected Group CEO whose sudden death in early 2024 left a vacuum at the helm.
Agbede, a long-time insider at Access Bank and one of the highest-ranking female executives in Nigeria’s financial sector, had stepped in as Acting GMD/CEO. During her tenure, the holding company operated under a delicate period of transition, managing both succession uncertainty and investor expectations.
Under her stewardship, Access successfully executed a N351 billion rights issue, one of the largest capital raises in Nigeria’s recent banking history, and hosted two annual general meetings without disruption. She also oversaw workforce stability initiatives and steered the company’s public messaging at a time when investors and regulators were keenly scrutinising succession plans.
“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,” said chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.
Ike, 59, is regarded as a seasoned operator with over three decades of experience in banking and financial services. A graduate of the University of Lagos, where he was recognised as the best student in accounting in 1988, he holds fellowships with both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
He is best known for his time at Polaris Bank, where he was managing director from 2020 to 2022. During that period, he led the launch of VULTe, the bank’s digital banking platform, which went on to win industry accolades such as BusinessDay’s BAFI Digital Bank of the Year and the Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year awards in successive years. His earlier career included a decade at Access Bank, where he rose to the rank of general manager with responsibility for corporate, commercial and public sector portfolios.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders,” Ike said in a statement.
