Access Holdings Plc has appointed Innocent Ike as its new group managing director/chief executive officer, effective August 29, 2025, following the receipt of regulatory approval.
The appointment recognised the exceptional contributions of Bolaji Agbede, who served as acting group chief executive officer. Ike will succeed Bolaji Agbede, who has served as the company’s acting group managing director/CEO for the past 18 months and has played a vital role in driving the Company’s performance.
Due to regulatory stipulations on the required years of experience for a Financial Holding Company’s managing director, Agbede will revert to her substantive role as the company’s executive director, Business Support.
Access Holdings stated that, “during Agbede’s tenure, Access Holdco achieved significant milestones, including ensuring workforce stability and seamless transition following the demise of the former Group CEO; successful execution of the Company’s N351 billion rights issue and seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings of the Company. Her leadership and strategic vision have maintained the Company’s momentum and strengthened its competitive position in the industry.”
Speaking on the development, the company chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said, “ We are thrilled to welcome Innocent Ike as we move forward. At the same time, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Bolaji Agbede.
“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.”
Access Holdings stated that, “Ike graduated from the University of Lagos with a BSc (Hons) in Accounting in 1988. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and a Certified IFRS expert.
“He has over three decades of experience in banking and financial services, ten years of which were spent at Access Bank, where he rose to general manager, overseeing portfolios in corporate, commercial, and public sectors.
“He served as the managing director/chief executive officer of Polaris Bank from 2020 to 2022, during which he launched VULTe, the bank’s digital banking platform.
Speaking on the appointment, Ike said, “I am honoured to take on the role of group managing director/CEO 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.”
