Access Holdings has verified the passing of its Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Herbert Wigwe.

Wigwe, along with his wife, son, and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Friday. The bank released a statement on Sunday, signed by the Company’s Group Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, confirming the unfortunate event.

“It is with profound sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the demise of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’). Dr. Wigwe, along with his wife and son, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.”

The group was reportedly traveling from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, on Friday night when the helicopter they were in crashed around 10 pm near a small town in California’s Mojave Desert. The helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters EC-130, was carrying a total of six people, none of whom survived the crash.

The exact cause of the Airbus Helicopters EC-130 crash remains unknown.

What exactly led to the crash of the Airbus Helicopters EC-130 remains unclear.

Read the full statement below:

ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ITS GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DR. HERBERT WIGWE, CFR

It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’). Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.

The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones. Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002. Commenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said:

“The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.

“In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr. Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”

Sunday Ekwochi
Group Company Secretary