In response to the unforeseen passing of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, Access Holdings Plc has swiftly taken action to ensure leadership continuity by naming Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.

The announcement, made by the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc on February 12, 2024, comes in the wake of an earlier statement dated February 11, 2024.

Ms. Bolaji Agbede, currently the most senior founding Executive Director overseeing Business Support within the company, is poised to lead Access Holdings Plc, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This transition marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey as it navigates through the challenges posed by an unexpected change in leadership.

With an extensive professional background spanning nearly three decades, Ms. Bolaji Agbede brings a wealth of expertise and strategic insight to her new role. Beginning her career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank, she steadily ascended to managerial positions before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer at JKG Limited, a business consulting firm, in 2003.

Ms. Bolaji Agbede’s association with Access Bank Plc began in 2003, where she held various leadership roles, including Head of Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022. As Access Holdings Plc’s founding Executive Director of Business Support, she played a pivotal role in integrating business units and transforming the company’s culture.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University, UK, in 2002.

Ms. Bolaji Agbede is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

Additionally, she has participated in prestigious leadership and professional development programs such as the High-Performance Leadership Programme organized by IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme organized by the London Business School.

The passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe is a significant loss for Access Holdings Plc and the corporate world at large.

However, Ms. Bolaji Agbede’s appointment reflects a strategic move to ensure stability and continuity in the company’s leadership. Her experience and leadership style are expected to guide Access Holdings Plc through this transitional period with resilience and vision.

Soldier go, soldier come, the barrack remains.

Everything is for the living, not for the dead. Wigwe is gone but Access Bank remains.