Access Holdings Plc has announced the resignation of Roosevelt Ogbonna from its Board as a Non-Executive Director, while confirming the appointment of Innocent Ike as the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO).
The company explained that Ogbonna, who remains the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, stepped down from the holding company’s Board in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 2023 Corporate Governance Guidelines, which limit financial holding company boards to a maximum of nine directors.
In a statement signed by Company Secretary Sunday Ekwochi, the Board commended Ogbonna for his contributions at the group level, noting that his insights helped shape strategic decisions.
Meanwhile, Ike’s appointment as substantive GMD/CEO takes effect on August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval. He succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who has served as Acting GMD/CEO for the past 18 months and will return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support.
Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede praised Agbede’s leadership during a challenging transition period, highlighting milestones such as the company’s N351 billion Rights Issue and two successful Annual General Meetings. “Her outstanding contributions over the past 18 months have been invaluable, and we appreciate her dedication in navigating the company through challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Ike, a University of Lagos Accounting graduate and Fellow of both CIBN and ICAN, brings over three decades of banking and financial services experience. He previously served as Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, where he launched the award-winning VULTe digital banking platform.
Speaking on his appointment, Ike said: “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.”
