At Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe Lives On…“forever in our hearts”

Two years after his tragic passing, the spirit and memory of Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, CFR, still echoes powerfully through the corridors of Access Holdings, parent company of Access Bank. For many within the financial powerhouse, where colleagues say his vision, drive, and fearless leadership remain deeply woven into the institution’s DNA and it feels as though he never truly left.

The late Group CEO, who led the institution with distinction for over a decade, died alongside his beloved wife, Doreen, and their son, Chizi, on February 9, 2024; a loss that sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s banking and business community. Today, colleagues say his fearless legacy burns brighter than ever.

From bold continental expansion to a relentless drive for excellence, Wigwe was widely regarded as a visionary who reshaped Access Bank into a global brand inspired by Africa, for the world. Two years on, executives admit his absence is deeply felt; yet his blueprint remains firmly in place.

Across the top executive echelon to junior staff members, tributes continue to pour in. Banking leaders, close associates, and industry friends have repeatedly highlighted his passion for building human capital and empowering the next generation of financial leaders.

Inside Access Holdings, insiders say the culture he championed; discipline, innovation, and global ambition still define daily operations. His legacy, they insist, lives not only in memories but in the standards upheld, the values protected, and the future still being built.

As the institution continues to serve retail and wholesale clients across continents, one message rings clear within its ranks: Herbert Wigwe, along with Doreen and Chizi, remains forever in their hearts and forever part of the Access Bank story.