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By Chukwuma Umeorah
One year after the tragic passing of Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO of Access Holdings, leaders in government and business are emphasizing the need for sustained reforms in Nigeria’s banking sector to uphold the principles he championed; innovation, expansion, and financial inclusion.
Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Doreen and Son, Chizi were honoured at a First Memorial Service in Lagos on Sunday. President Bola Tinubu, in a tribute delivered by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, acknowledged Wigwe’s role in transforming Access Bank into a global financial powerhouse. He called for continuity in his vision of a resilient and inclusive financial system, noting that “his story is one that reminds us that vision, hard work, and service to humanity are the true measures of greatness.”
Wigwe’s tenure at Access Bank was marked by aggressive expansion, strategic mergers, and a push for sustainable banking practices. His leadership saw the bank’s footprint grow from seven to 21 countries, with assets surging from N3.1 trillion to over N36.45 trillion by 2020. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by the Acting CEO of Access Holdings, Bolaji Agbede, credited Wigwe and his long-time business partner and current Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Imoukhuede, with redefining banking in Nigeria. “In 2002, as young men, driven by an audacious vision, they acquired what was then one of Nigeria’s smallest financial institution and the transformation they achieved was nothing short of remarkable.
From a modest institution, they built Access bank into a global institution,” Obasanjo noted.
With Access bank now operating as a continental institution serving over 60 million customers, Obasanjo argued that Wigwe’s blueprint for expansion and innovation should guide future policy decisions in the sector.
Beyond his contributions to banking, Wigwe was a vocal advocate for financial inclusion and corporate governance. His work in sustainable banking and philanthropy underscored the need for financial institutions to align with societal goals. President Emmanuel Macron, in a message delivered by the Consul General in Nigeria, emphasized Wigwe’s impact on international business relations, particularly in strengthening Franco-Nigerian economic ties. “The government of France salutes an exceptional entrepreneur, a friend of the arts, a man who served his country and the public interest,” Macron stated, adding that his leadership in the Nigeria-France Business Council left an indelible mark on bilateral relations.
Pointing to Wigwe’s legacy as a model for sustainable growth. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described him as a man whose ideas and leadership continue to inspire the next generation of business leaders. “Wigwe was a man of bold ideas, of healthy laughter, of the mind, who gave his all to everything,” he said.
In his address, Imoukhuede, pledge to uphold the legacy of his late friend and colleague. He emphasized that the best way to honor Wigwe’s memory was to sustain the principles he championed, ensuring that Nigerian banks not only grow but also contribute meaningfully to economic development and social impact. This is even as he shared his heartfelt condolence to the family Wigwe left behind.
David Wigwe, the late banker’s surviving son, paid tribute to his father, expressing his commitment to upholding his legacy. “His legacy lives in me, and I pray for the strength to live by his example,” he stated. The memorial service was attended by close associates, industry leaders, and dignitaries, including the Wigwe family and relatives of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, who also lost his life in the tragic helicopter crash on February 9, 2024.
English (US) ·