Abuja Chamber of Commerce mourns Access Holdings CEO

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has expressed deep sorrow and shock over the death of Herbert Wigwe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Access Holdings.

The President of ACCI and Leader of the Organised Private Sector in FCT, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said in a condolence message on Monday in Abuja that the death of Wigwe was not only a great loss to the Wigwe family but also to the Nigerian banking sector and the business community at large.

Supreme News reports that the Nigerian billionaire banker and entrepreneur, his wife, kids, and Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo, were involved in a helicopter crash in California, U.S., on Friday.

“Wigwe, as the leader of one of Nigeria’s largest banks, has left an indelible mark on the Nigerian banking industry and the country’s economy, achieving outstanding results.

”The Access Bank family, the Nigerian banking sector, and the business community have suffered a major loss with the passing of Wigwe, who was known for his intellect and fine character.

“This loss is deeply felt by anyone who has had the privilege of knowing Wigwe and recognising his significant contributions in various ways.

“On behalf of the Executive Council and members of the ACCI, I offer heartfelt prayers for the repose of the departed souls and the solace of their grieving families,” he said.

Supreme News reports that Wigwe started his professional career with Coopers & Lybrand Associates, an international firm of chartered accountants.

He spent over 10 years at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, where he managed several portfolios, including financial institutions, large corporations, and multinationals.

He left Guaranty Trust Bank as an Executive Director to co-lead the transformation of Access Bank Plc in March 2002 as Deputy Managing Director.

He was appointed Group Managing Director/CEO effective January 1, 2014, and served in that capacity until May 2022.

He was subsequently appointed a non-executive director of the bank, effective May 2022.

Wigwe was an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme.

He held a master’s degree in Banking and International Finance from the University College of North Wales, a master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of London and a B.Sc. degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Mr Wigwe is the Chairman of The Access Bank (UK) Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company Plc; FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange; Shared Agents Network Expansion Facilities Ltd and Agri-Business/ SME Enterprises Investment Scheme.

He was also a member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.