Access Bank Plc Appoints Mrs. Ifeyinwa Osime as New Board Chairman Following Mr. Usoro’s Retirement
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
Access Holdings Plc (“the Company”) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of Access Bank Plc (“the Bank”), its flagship subsidiary, has appointed Mrs. Ifeyinwa Osime as Chairman of the Board, following the retirement of Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN on January 29, 2026, upon the completion of his regulatory tenure.
Mrs. Osime is an accomplished legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and sustainability. She joined Access Bank’s Board in November 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and has since served as Chairman of the Board Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Board Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee, making significant contributions to governance and leadership development.
In addition to her role at Access Bank, Mrs. Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Limited and a Partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, advising on corporate and commercial matters. Her prior board experience includes serving as Independent Non-Executive Director of Coronation Insurance Plc, Board Chairman of Coronation Life Insurance Company Ltd, and Non-Executive Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Limited).
Mrs. Osime began her career at Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and later joined African Development Insurance Company Limited (ADIC, now NSIA Insurance) as Company Secretary/Assistant General Manager, Administration & Legal. She holds a law degree from the University of Benin, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987, and earned a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics. She has also completed executive programs at INSEAD, IMD, Harvard Business School, MIT, and Stanford, reflecting her commitment to global best practices and continuous professional development.
She is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Women Corporate Directors Nigeria Chapter, and Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, serving on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group. Beyond her professional commitments, Mrs. Osime mentors young people and is involved with the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, demonstrating her dedication to social impact and inclusion.
Commenting on the appointment, Group Chairman Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, said:
“Mrs. Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values. She has shown unwavering commitment to the Bank’s vision, and I am confident that under her leadership, Access Bank will continue to deliver sustainable value to shareholders and stakeholders, reinforcing its goal of becoming the World’s Most Respected African Bank.”
The Group Chairman also congratulated Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, on completing his tenure, acknowledging his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the Group, while noting that he remains a valued member of the Access family.
