BREAKING: Access Holdings appoints Innocent Ike as new GMD/CEO as Aig-Imoukhuede consolidates control
Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval. The move comes just a day after Roosevelt Ogbonna resigned from the board, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance rules. The appointment signals the consolidation of power by Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who returned to lead the group after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe in 2024.
Ike succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who served as Acting GMD/CEO for 18 months, guiding the group through a turbulent period. During her tenure, Access executed a N351 billion rights issue, maintained operational stability, and successfully hosted two Annual General Meetings. Agbede, who reverts to her role as Executive Director, Business Support, earned praise from Aig-Imoukhuede for her leadership and steadying influence in the wake of Wigwe’s passing.
With over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services, Ike is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). A graduate of the University of Lagos and a certified IFRS expert, Ike previously held senior roles at Access Bank before becoming CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he introduced VULTe, the award-winning digital banking platform. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to position Access Holdings for stronger governance and growth.
The reshuffle reflects a broader restructuring under Aig-Imoukhuede, with recent high-profile exits including Seyi Kumapayi and Roosevelt Ogbonna. Ogbonna, who continues as MD of Access Bank, resigned from the HoldCo board to comply with regulatory limits on board composition. Given that Access Bank contributes over 90% of group revenues and 95% of assets, his departure from the parent company’s board has sparked industry debate on how leadership influence will shift under the new regime.
Founded in 2022, Access Holdings has grown into one of Africa’s most diversified financial services groups, with presence in 17 markets. The appointment of Ike marks a defining moment for the group as it balances regulatory compliance, governance reform, and expansion ambitions. For shareholders and stakeholders alike, the question remains how this recalibrated leadership team will shape the company’s next phase of growth in Nigeria’s highly competitive banking sector.
Source: Nairametrics