Access Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Innocent Ike as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025. The appointment, which has received regulatory approval, comes as the company’s leadership structure undergoes significant changes under the renewed chairmanship of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.
Ike’s confirmation follows a period of notable leadership transitions. Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director of Access Bank, recently stepped down from the HoldCo board to align with new corporate governance rules from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). His resignation, along with the earlier departure of long-serving director Seyi Kumapayi, reflects the board’s efforts to streamline its structure and comply with the CBN’s directive limiting HoldCo boards to nine members.
Ike succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who has served as Acting GMD/CEO for the past 18 months. Agbede will return to her previous role as Executive Director, Business Support. During her interim leadership, she was widely praised for guiding the company through a challenging period following the passing of former CEO Herbert Wigwe. Her tenure saw the successful completion of a N351 billion rights issue and the execution of two annual general meetings, helping to stabilize the group.
In a statement, Chairman Aig-Imoukhuede lauded Agbede’s contributions as “invaluable in navigating the company through challenges and opportunities.”
With more than 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, Ike brings a wealth of expertise to his new position. A Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), he previously spent a decade at Access Bank, where he rose to the position of General Manager. He also served as Managing Director and CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he launched the award-winning digital banking platform, VULTe.
“I am honored to take on this role and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings,” Ike said. “I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward to deliver exceptional value to shareholders and stakeholders.”
Ike’s appointment, combined with the recent board movements, solidifies a new phase for Access Holdings as it strengthens its governance framework and charts a clear course for the future.
