Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective 29 August 2025, following regulatory approval.
Mr Ike succeeds Ms Bolaji Agbede, who has served with distinction as Acting Group CEO for the past 18 months. In line with regulatory stipulations on the minimum years of experience required for the leadership of a financial holding company, Ms Agbede will revert to her substantive role as Executive Director, Business Support.
During her stewardship, Access Holdings recorded major milestones, including:
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Safeguarding workforce stability and ensuring a seamless transition after the passing of the former Group CEO.
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Successfully executing the Company’s ₦351 billion Rights Issue.
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Seamlessly hosting two Annual General Meetings.
Her leadership not only preserved the Company’s momentum but also reinforced its competitive strength across the financial services sector.
Commenting on the leadership transition, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, Chairman of Access Holdings, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Mr Innocent Ike as Group CEO. At the same time, we extend our deepest appreciation to Ms Bolaji Agbede for her outstanding leadership over the past 18 months. Her contributions have been invaluable in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, she leaves behind a strong foundation for future growth.”
Mr Ike is a distinguished professional with over three decades of experience in banking and financial services. A graduate of Accounting from the University of Lagos (1988), where he was the Best Graduating Student, he is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), as well as a certified IFRS expert.
He previously served at Access Bank for 10 years, rising to General Manager and overseeing portfolios in corporate, commercial, and public sectors. More recently, he was Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank (2020–2022), where he spearheaded the launch of VULTe, the bank’s award-winning digital banking platform, earning industry recognition such as the BusinessDay BAFI Digital Bank of the Year and the Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Ike said:
“I am deeply honoured to assume the role of Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Holdings. Working with the exceptional team at Access, I am committed to building on the strong legacies of Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, while steering our vision to deliver outstanding value to shareholders and all stakeholders.”
Access Holdings remains committed to its ambition of becoming the world’s most respected African financial services group, and under Mr Ike’s leadership, the Company is strategically positioned for sustained success and growth.
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