Access Holdings Appoints Innocent Ike as Group CEO, Commends Bolaji Agbede’s Pivotal Leadership During Transition
By People’s Voice Nigerian | News
Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval. The announcement marks a significant leadership transition for one of Africa’s leading financial services groups.
According to a press statement issued by the Company and e-signed by Mr. Sunday Ekwochi, Group Company Secretary, Mr. Ike’s appointment follows the conclusion of Ms. Bolaji Agbede’s tenure as Acting Group CEO — a role she held for 18 months during a critical period in the Company’s history.
Ms. Agbede assumed leadership following the tragic passing of former Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, and was instrumental in stabilizing the organization, maintaining operational momentum, and executing key strategic initiatives. The statement highlights her achievements, including:
- Ensuring workforce stability and morale during a period of uncertainty
- Overseeing the successful execution of a ₦351 billion Rights Issue
- Seamlessly hosting two Annual General Meetings
- Reinforcing Access Holdings’ competitive position in the financial services sector
Chairman of Access Holdings, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, praised Ms. Agbede’s leadership, stating:
Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the Company through challenges and opportunities. While regulatory requirements necessitate this change, we are grateful for the strong foundation that has been laid.
Due to regulatory stipulations regarding the minimum years of experience required for the CEO of a financial holding company, Ms. Agbede will revert to her substantive role as Executive Director, Business Support.
Mr. Innocent Ike, the incoming Group CEO, brings over three decades of banking and financial services experience. A graduate of the University of Lagos, where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Accounting and was recognized as the Best Graduating Student, Mr. Ike is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is also a Certified IFRS expert.
His career includes a decade at Access Bank, where he rose to the position of General Manager, overseeing portfolios across corporate, commercial, and public sectors. More recently, he served as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he led the launch of VULTe — a digital banking platform that earned multiple industry accolades, including:
- BusinessDay BAFI Digital Bank of the Year Award (2021)
- Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year Award (2021 & 2022)
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Ike expressed enthusiasm for the role:
“I am honoured to take on the role of Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and excited to work alongside the talented team at Access Holdings. I look forward to building on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede, and driving our vision forward, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders and stakeholders.
The Company reaffirmed its commitment to becoming the World’s Most Respected African Financial Services Group, noting that with Mr. Ike at the helm, Access Holdings is well-positioned to accelerate its growth trajectory and deepen its impact across markets.
