Life And Times Of A Banking Wizard

The clock stopped for one of the most brilliant bankers on the African continent, Dr. Herbert Ongewumbu Wigwe, who was the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, the largest financial institution in Nigeria, on Friday, February 9, 2024.

While traveling from California to Nevada in a helicopter with his son Chizi and wife Doreen, he perished.

The Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc stated on Sunday in a somber tone, “The Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc has announced the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company's founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc. Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.

“The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.”

Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings, expressed his thoughts on the passing of Dr. Wigwe, saying, “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude. We remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe's legacy of growth and operational excellence.”

Wigwe and his business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede co-founded Access Bank, and Wigwe played a significant role in the bank's expansion.

Read: Board Prepares To Name Acting CEO After Tragic Loss of Wigwe

He took over as Access Bank Group CEO in 2014, focusing on the Bank's expansion in Nigeria and Africa before taking the helm at Access Holdings in 2022. Under his leadership, Access Bank drove its African strategy to become Sub Saharan Africa's largest retail bank by customer base.

He served on the boards of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) and Access Bank UK. He has long supported the goal of eliminating malaria in Africa by collaborating with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria.