Access Holdings Plc has named Innocent Ike as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective today, August 29, 2025. His appointment follows regulatory approval and ushers in a new leadership era for one of Africa’s largest financial services groups.
Ike steps in after Roosevelt Ogbonna’s resignation from the board in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest corporate governance rules. He also succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who led the company in acting capacity for the past 18 months after the sudden passing of former Group CEO Herbert Wigwe in February 2024.
Agbede, who now returns to her position as Executive Director, Business Support, won praise across the group for steering the company during one of its most turbulent transitions. She drove workforce stability, executed a ₦351 billion rights issue, and managed two Annual General Meetings without disruption. Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede thanked her for laying a solid foundation. “Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable. We are thrilled to welcome Ike as we move forward and grateful for the strong base she has given the company,” he said.
A Return and a Home-Coming
This appointment is a home-coming for Ike. He had earlier spent a decade at Access Bank, rising to General Manager while overseeing corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios. Now, after stints at other institutions, he returns to lead the group he once helped shape. “I feel honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director and CEO,” Ike said shortly after the announcement. “I look forward to building on the legacies of Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and I am committed to driving our vision forward while delivering exceptional value to shareholders and stakeholders.”
Ike’s Track Record of Excellence
Ike’s track record shows a leader who thrives on transformation. At Polaris Bank, where he served as Managing Director from 2020 to 2022, he launched VULTe, a digital banking platform that quickly earned industry recognition. The platform won BusinessDay’s BAFI Digital Bank of the Year and the Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year Award, solidifying Ike’s reputation as a forward-thinking executive.
He brings over 30 years of banking experience, with expertise in corporate strategy, risk management, and digital innovation. These skills position him well to steer Access Holdings as it aims to become the world’s most respected African financial services company.
Innocent Ike’s Academic and Professional Standing
Born with a passion for excellence, Ike graduated from the University of Lagos in 1988 as the Best Graduating Student in Accounting. He holds fellowships with both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He also carries certification as an IFRS expert, strengthening his profile as both a numbers man and a strategist. Ike inherits a company shaped by two contrasting leadership styles. Herbert Wigwe expanded Access into a continental powerhouse with bold acquisitions and ambitious growth. Bolaji Agbede then stabilised the group through the crisis, ensuring operations and investor confidence never wavered.
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