Tragic Loss: Access Holdings Mourns Passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe and Family in Helicopter Accident

File: CEO, Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba and son Chizzy, that died in the ill-fated Chopper crash in California

In a devastating turn of events, Access Holdings Plc has announced the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the founding Group Chief Executive Officer GCEO, and former Group Managing Director GMD of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc. Dr. Wigwe, along with his wife Doreen and son Chizi, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in California, United States, on Friday, February 9, 2024.

The entire Access Family is reeling from the loss, as Dr. Wigwe was hailed as a visionary leader and a driving force behind the growth and success of Access Bank. His profound intellect, exemplary personal qualities, and extensive business acumen have left an indelible mark on the Access Family, for which they express deep gratitude.

Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings, mourned the loss, emphasizing Dr. Wigwe’s unparalleled contributions to the company and his enduring legacy of growth and operational excellence. Dr. Wigwe’s tenure saw Access Bank emerge as Sub Saharan Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base, a testament to his strategic vision and leadership.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Dr. Wigwe was a passionate advocate for social causes, actively supporting initiatives to combat malaria and AIDS in Africa. He was a two-time winner of the African Banker of the Year award and a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Wigwe was deeply committed to education, recently founding Wigwe University, Africa’s first ivy league institution dedicated to nurturing future leaders.

The news of Dr. Wigwe’s passing has elicited an outpouring of grief and condolences from prominent figures, including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), former Vice-President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Nigerian Governors, among others.

As the Access Family mourns this profound loss, they vow to honor Dr. Wigwe’s legacy by continuing to uphold his values and pursue excellence in all endeavors.