By Abiola Olawale
Access Holdings Plc (the Holdco) has announced the return of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as its Non-Executive Chairman.
Aig-Imoukhuede comes back into the helm of leadership of the company having served as the Group Chief Executive Officer between 2002 to 2013.
This was contained in a press release issued by the Company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.
In the statement, the financial institution said the appointment was made following extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
According to the statement, the decision to bring back Aig-Imoukhuede as the Group’s Non-Executive Chairman is to allow continuity in the strong foundation he jointly established with the late Group Chief Executive Office of Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe. However, The New Diplomat checks reveal that the return of Aig-Imoukhuede is to help consolidate the original principal stakeholders hold on the bank to avoid possible hostile take-over by investors on shopping spree for access Bank shares. According to the insider, the return is very strategic.
With this development, Aig-Imoukhuede is now set to replace Abubakar Jimoh, the erstwhile Chairman of the HoldCo. Jimoh would also remain on the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Aig-Imoukhuede is expected to bring an outstanding record of accomplishments, wealth of expertise, and leadership to guide the Group into a new era of success, the HoldCo said on Wednesday.
The statement reads: “With an illustrious career spanning several decades in the banking and finance sector, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede has proven to be an exceptional and influential leader, having admirably laid a solid foundation for Access Bank’s success as Group Chief Executive Officer between 2002 and 2013 ably supported by his partner and deputy, the late Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR who later succeeded him.
“Under Aig-Imoukhuede’s leadership, Access Bank experienced remarkable growth and established itself as a trusted financial institution within the community. The Bank transformed from a minor player into one of Nigeria’s top 5 banks with a presence in 9 other African countries and the United Kingdom. Under his stewardship, Access Bank grew its customer base from ten thousand to over six million with more than 5,000 employees and an asset base of $12 billion, achieving numerous milestones and becoming a globally recognized name. His strategic vision, innovative thinking, and deep market insight were instrumental to shaping the Bank’s success.
“Following his retirement as the Bank’s CEO in December 2013, Aig-Imoukhuede cofounded the Tengen Family Office Limited which oversees a significant portfolio of investments and businesses in banking, finance, insurance, technology, real estate, and energy. Through the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, he is focused on building Nigeria’s next generation of government leaders, helping transform public sector effectiveness, and improving access to quality primary health care.
“The decision to bring back Aig-Imoukhuede as the Group’s Non-Executive Chairman reflects the Board’s commitment to our core values and determination to build upon the strong foundation he jointly established with Dr. Wigwe. With his return, Access Holdings aims to leverage his extensive experience, industry knowledge, and exceptional leadership skills to consolidate on the growth and accomplishments recorded under Dr. Wigwe’s leadership.
“In his new role as Non-Executive Chairman, Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede will collaborate with the Board of Directors to oversee strategy and provide guidance to the executive management team. His return is not only a testament to his unwavering dedication to Access Group but also a clear demonstration of the Board’s confidence in his ability to lead the Group to new heights,’ the company said.
Commenting on his appointment, Aig-Imoukhuede, said: “I am thrilled to be back in active service to the Access Group ecosystem. I am confident that working with our directors, our exceptional team of executives, and our best-in-class banking and finance professionals, we will deliver outstanding value to our esteemed stakeholders. I am determined that our shared vision which Dr. Wigwe gave everything for, will be realized”.
The New Diplomat reports that Aig-Imoukhuede was born on the 24th of September 1966. He had his early education in Kaduna and later in Lagos State, before enrolling for a degree in law at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. In 1987, he was called to the Nigerian Bar, and served his compulsory National Youth Service Corps, working as a lawyer with Chase Merchant Bank during his NYSC year.
