–Applauds Bolaji Agbede’s Transformative Tenure
Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the appointment of Innocent Ike as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.
His appointment brings to a close the 18-month stewardship of Bolaji Agbede, who has steered the company in an acting capacity through a period of stability and significant achievements.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sunday Ekwochi, company secretary, explained that Agbede would revert to her role as Executive Director, Business Support, due to regulatory requirements on the requisite years of experience for the CEO of a financial holding company.
“During Ms. Agbede’s tenure, Access Holdco achieved significant milestones, including ensuring workforce stability and seamless transition following the demise of the former Group Chief Executive Officer; successful execution of the Company’s N351 Billion Rights Issue and seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings of the Company,” the company stated.
“Her leadership and strategic vision have not only maintained the company’s momentum but also strengthened its competitive position in the industry.”
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of Access Holdings, hailed Agbede’s contributions while welcoming Ike into his new role.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Ike, a seasoned banker with over three decades of experience in the financial services sector, graduated top of his class with a BSc in Accounting from the University of Lagos in 1988. 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.
His career includes 10 years at Access Bank where he rose to general manager, managing portfolios across corporate, commercial, and public sectors. He later served as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank between 2020 and 2022, where he launched VULTe, the bank’s award-winning digital banking platform.
Speaking on his appointment, Ike expressed optimism about leading the group into a new era of growth.
“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,” he said.
Access Holdings reaffirmed its vision of becoming the world’s most respected African financial services group, noting that Ike’s leadership would further strengthen its growth trajectory.
In a related development, the company also disclosed that Roosevelt Ogbonna, CEO of Access Bank, has resigned from its board as a non-executive director.