Access Holdings Plc (“Access Holdco” or “the Company”) announced the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as the substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), effective August 29, 2025, following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.
Mr. Ike succeeds Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has ably served as Acting GMD/CEO for the past 18 months. In line with regulatory requirements on the minimum years of experience for the role, Ms. Agbede will resume her substantive position as Executive Director, Business Support of Access Holdings.
During her tenure as Acting GMD/CEO, Ms. Agbede provided exemplary leadership, guiding the Company through a period of transition and ensuring continued stability. Key achievements under her stewardship include: Seamless leadership transition following the passing of the former GMD/CEO. Successful execution of the ₦351 billion Rights Issue. Smooth coordination of two Annual General Meetings of the Company.
Her stewardship reinforced Access Holdco’s resilience, ensured workforce stability, and sustained the Company’s competitive momentum.
Commenting on the leadership transition, the Chairman of Access Holdings, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Innocent Ike as the substantive GMD/CEO of Access Holdings. At the same time, we extend our deepest gratitude to Ms. Bolaji Agbede, whose outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable. She provided exceptional leadership during a defining period in our history, laying a strong foundation for the Company’s next chapter.”
He brings over three decades of experience in banking and financial services, including a decade at Access Bank, where he rose to General Manager overseeing corporate, commercial, and public sector portfolios. He later served as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank (2020–2022), where he spearheaded the launch of VULTe, the bank’s digital platform, which won multiple industry awards including: BusinessDay BAFI Digital Bank of the Year (2021) and Nigerian Fintech Digital Bank of the Year (2022).
Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Ike said: “I am honoured to assume the role of GMD/CEO of Access Holdings and look forward to working with our talented team to build on the strong legacy established by Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede. Together, we will continue to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders, customers, and communities, while advancing our vision of becoming the World’s Most Respected African Financial Services Group.”
With Mr. Ike’s appointment, Access Holdings reaffirms its commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and excellence in financial services across Africa and beyond.