Access Holdings appoints Innocent Ike as New Group CEO

Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The announcement, marks a significant transition for the financial conglomerate as it navigates new corporate governance requirements and builds on the legacy of its late former CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

Ike’s appointment comes hours after Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director of Access Bank—a subsidiary contributing over 90% of the group’s revenue—resigned from the HoldCo board to comply with CBN’s 2023 governance guidelines, which cap HoldCo boards at nine members.

The reshuffle follows a series of leadership changes, including the exit of long-serving director Seyi Kumapayi earlier this year, signaling Access Holdings’ commitment to regulatory alignment and strategic renewal under Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

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With over 30 years of experience in banking, Ike brings a wealth of expertise to Access Holdings. A University of Lagos accounting graduate and a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), he is also a certified IFRS expert.

Ike spent a decade at Access Bank, rising to General Manager, where he managed corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios. From 2020 to 2022, he served as MD/CEO of Polaris Bank, launching VULTe, an award-winning digital banking platform.

“I am honoured to lead Access Holdings and excited to work with our talented team,” Ike said in a statement. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders.”