News Highlights:
- Access Holdings confirmed the retirement of DMD Chizoma Okoli from Access Bank effective April 30, 2026, following the expiration of her tenure.
- Okoli leaves behind nearly three decades of banking excellence, having played a major role in expanding Access Bank’s retail footprint, SME growth, and customer base.
Access Holdings Plc has announced the retirement of Mrs. Chizoma Okoli as Deputy Managing Director of its flagship banking subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, effective April 30, 2026, marking the end of a significant chapter in her nearly seven-year leadership at the institution.
The disclosure, contained in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, and published on the Nigerian Exchange Group platform on Tuesday, said her exit follows the completion of her tenure.
“Access Holdings Plc (“the Company”) hereby informs Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that Mrs. Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of the Company’s subsidiary, Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’) will be retiring from the Bank effective April 30, 2026, following the expiration of her term,” the statement read.
Okoli joined Access Bank in March 2019 as an Executive Director following the merger with the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, where she had built an impressive banking career spanning decades. In March 2022, she was elevated to the position of Deputy Managing Director, Retail South.
During her tenure, Access Bank said she was instrumental in strengthening its retail banking operations and expanding its reach across critical market segments.
“She has played a pivotal role in deepening the Bank’s retail footprint, expanding our customer base, and strengthening our proposition to small and medium-sized businesses across our markets.
“The Board extends its appreciation to Mrs Okoli for her outstanding service and wishes her continued success,” the bank stated.
A seasoned banking professional with close to 30 years of industry experience, Okoli began her career in 1992 as an executive trainee at the former Diamond Bank Plc, where she steadily rose through the ranks to become Executive Director in 2016.
Her extensive expertise spans commercial and consumer banking, corporate banking, branch operations, institutional banking, business banking, and business development.
Academically, she holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master of Business Administration from Warwick Business School in the United Kingdom.
She is also an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Member of the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria.
Beyond her executive banking career, Okoli currently serves on several strategic boards, including United Payment Services Limited, Fiducia Data Services Limited, Fiducia Digital Registry Solutions Limited, Fiducia Clearing Services Limited, the Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme, and the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria.
Her retirement signals the close of a distinguished era defined by strategic growth, retail expansion, and impactful leadership within one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
