Access Holdings Plc to Announce Wigwe’s Successor as Okonjo-Iweala, Otedola, Others Mourn

• Access Holdings Plc announces plans to appoint an interim Group CEO following the tragic passing of former CEO Herbert Wigwe
• Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Femi Otedola, and Adewale Tinubu express shock and condolences over the loss of Herbert Wigwe and others

Access Holdings Plc’s board announces plans to appoint an interim Group CEO following the tragic passing of Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO, along with his wife and son in a helicopter accident in the United States.

The company, in a statement released on Sunday, confirmed the unfortunate demise of Wigwe and his family, stating that the selection of a new leader aligns with corporate policy.

“In adherence to our corporate policy, the board will imminently disclose the designation of an Interim Group CEO, as we maintain our confidence in the Access Group’s ability to extend Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence,” the statement revealed.

Meanwhile, prominent figures, including the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, business mogul Femi Otedola, and OandO Group CEO Adewale Tinubu expressed shock over the loss of Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) Abimbola Ogunbanjo, and other passengers aboard the ill-fated helicopter that crashed in California over the weekend.

The confirmation of the tragic incident came from the Board of Directors of Access Holdings.

It was reported that Wigwe and his family, along with three other passengers, lost their lives while en route to Las Vegas to attend the Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) in the United States.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her sorrow, stating, “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group employees and Management and my younger Brother Herbert’s partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, mourned the passing of the passengers in separate posts, extending prayers for comfort to the Ogunbanjo family over the loss of Mr. Abimbola.

In his tribute, Wale Tinubu praised Wigwe’s achievements in the banking sector, emphasizing that his demise serves as a reminder “of the fragility of life; the jolt we need to ensure our time here is well spent and leaves a resounding impact on all.”

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Godwin Obaseki also joined in mourning the loss of Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo.