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In the wake of the recent passing of Herbert Wigwe, a leading Nigerian banking executive and multimillionaire businessman, Access Holdings Plc has swiftly moved to appoint Bolaji Agbede as the acting group CEO.
The announcement, made by the board of directors 24 hours after confirming Wigwe’s demise, is contingent upon the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Agbede, the company’s most senior founding executive director in charge of business support, is poised to take the helm following an illustrious career within Access Bank Pic. Joining the bank in 2003 as an assistant general manager, she has navigated through various pivotal roles, including the management of the bank’s chemical trading companies’ portfolio.
Her tenure includes serving as the head of group human resources from 2010 to 2022 and subsequently being appointed as the company’s founding executive director of business support in 2022.
Access Chairman Abubakar Jimoh asserts conviction in Agbede’s leadership for building global community and ecosystem
Commenting on the appointment, Abubakar Jimoh, chairman of Access, stated, “The appointment of Agbede is in alignment with our robust succession planning practices.”
Jimoh emphasized the board’s confidence in Agbede’s leadership, citing her “exceptionally rich, professional, and leadership experience” and her deep understanding of the Access culture.
He expressed conviction that Agbede would provide the necessary leadership to guide the company in achieving its strategic vision of building a globally connected community and ecosystem.
Agbede’s 30-year journey in banking and business consultancy
Agbede, with nearly three decades of professional experience spanning banking and business consultancy services, commenced her career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank.
Rising through various capacities within the commercial banking and operations functions, she attained the position of Manager in 2001. In 2003, she assumed the role of CEO of JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit.
Agbede holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics from the University of Lagos and a master of business administration from Cranfield University in 2002. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
