Access Holdings Plc has appointed Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 29, 2025. The appointment followed regulatory approval and Roosevelt Ogbonna’s resignation from the HoldCo board under new corporate governance rules.
The move signals a new era under Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who returned after the passing of Herbert Wigwe in 2024. Earlier this year, longtime director Seyi Kumapayi also stepped down. Ogbonna, Managing Director of Access Bank, left the HoldCo board to comply with CBN’s 2023 corporate governance policy limiting board seats to nine.
Ike replaces Bolaji Agbede, who served as Acting GMD/CEO for 18 months. Agbede guided Access Holdings through one of its toughest periods, organizing two annual general meetings, completing a ₦351 billion rights issue, and maintaining workforce stability. She will resume her role as Executive Director, Business Support.
Chairman Aig-Imoukhuede praised Agbede’s “invaluable service in navigating the company through challenges and opportunities.”
Ike brings over 30 years of banking and financial services experience. A University of Lagos accounting graduate, he is an IFRS expert and a fellow of CIBN and ICAN. At Access Bank, he rose to General Manager, managing portfolios across public, commercial, and corporate banking. Later, he served as MD/CEO of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, where he launched VULTe, the award-winning digital banking platform.
Speaking on his appointment, Ike said:
“I am honored to lead Access Holdings. I look forward to building on the legacies of Herbert Wigwe and Bolaji Agbede while driving growth and delivering value to shareholders and stakeholders.”
His appointment followed Ogbonna’s exit, which stirred speculation in the banking sector. However, insiders confirmed the decision was board-driven to comply with CBN rules. Ogbonna’s absence is significant, given Access Bank contributes over 90% of group revenues and 95% of total assets.
Since its 2022 creation through a Scheme of Arrangement, Access Holdings has expanded into 17 African and international markets, cementing its position as one of Africa’s most diversified financial services groups.
