Seunfunmi Joshua
On Monday, February 12th, 2024, Access Holdings announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer. This appointment comes after the tragic passing of the former Group CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and a former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, in a helicopter crash near the Nevada border in California, United States of America.
Before this appointment, Agbede held the position of the company’s most senior founding Executive Director in charge of Business Support.
Here are seven (7) things to know about the newly appointed CEO of Access Holdings, in case you’re not familiar with her:
Educational Background
Ms. Agbede earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos in 1990, followed by an MBA from Cranfield University in 2002. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
Professional Development
Ms. Agbede has completed several prestigious leadership and professional development programs, including the High-Performance Leadership Programme at IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme at the London Business School.
Mergers and Acquisitions Expertise
She has demonstrated her proficiency in mergers and acquisitions, playing a key role in several successful integrations in the sector. These include projects involving Marina International Bank, Capital Bank, Intercontinental Bank Plc, and the merger between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc.
Leadership in Access Bank
Joining Access Bank in 2003, Ms. Agbede has been pivotal in the bank’s human capital development, serving as the Head of HR for the Access Bank Group since 2010. Her tenure has been marked by successful people integrations during significant mergers and acquisitions.
Extensive Experience
With over 27 years in the banking sector, Ms. Agbede has a wealth of experience in human resources management, customer relationship management, and banking operations.
Community and Women Empowerment
Outside of her corporate role, she contributes her expertise to several non-governmental organizations focused on women’s empowerment, capacity building, and leadership. This includes her service on the boards of organizations such as the ROWAA Widows Initiative and Propel Grad.
Advocate for Gender Equality
Ms. Agbede is a strong advocate for gender equality and equity, spearheading progressive initiatives such as paternity leave, six months’ maternity leave, the Bank’s Crèche, and the Access Women Network.
Final Thoughts
Ms. Bolaji Agbede being appointed as the acting CEO of Access Holdings shows her experience, leadership skills, and commitment to gender equality. This is expected to have a positive impact on the organization and everyone involved.
