Who is Herbert Wigwe?
Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, a notable Nigerian entrepreneur and banker who lived from 15 August 1966 to 9 February 2024, was credited with numerous noteworthy contributions to the nation’s finance industry.
In his capacity as the group managing director and chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, a prominent financial institution in Nigeria, he significantly influenced the expansion and triumph of the bank.
During Wigwe’s tenure as CEO of Access Bank, the organization was characterized by a commitment to excellence, strategic foresight, and innovation.
During his tenure as leader, the bank underwent substantial growth and consolidation, thereby reinforcing its standing as a dominant entity within the Nigerian banking sector.
His commitment to providing exceptional service and excellence garnered him extensive acclaim and recognition in the financial industry. On February 9, 2024, Wigwe met an untimely demise subsequent to a helicopter accident that transpired within the United States.
The untimely demise of this visionary leader and mentor caused profound sorrow among his colleagues, friends, and admirers in the Nigerian business community.
In Nigeria and beyond, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe’s legacy continues to motivate and affect innumerable individuals in spite of his untimely and tragic demise.
His outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the financial industry will endure as a lasting testament to his profound influence on the Nigerian economy and society at large.
Early Life
Wigwe Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe was born in Isiokpo, Rivers State, Nigeria, on August 15, 1966. His mother was a nurse and his father was the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, both of which upheld the values of excellence and service in his family.
Education
Wigwe commenced his academic career in 1987 with the acquisition of a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
In his ongoing quest for knowledge, he was awarded a British Council scholarship in 1990, which funded his studies at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), where he successfully completed a Master of Arts in Banking and Finance in 1991.
In 1996, Wigwe obtained a Master of Science in Financial Economics from the University of London, continuing his pursuit of knowledge. His commitment to education additionally prompted him to enroll in the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School.
In acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in 2018.
Career
Wigwe commenced his professional trajectory during the latter part of the 1980s with an appointment as a management consultant at Coopers & Lybrand.
As a result of his diligence and knowledge, he obtained the Chartered Accountant designation in 1989. Following that, he commenced employment at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), where he spent more than a decade refining his abilities before attaining the rank of executive director in 1998.
Wigwe and his business associate Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede initiated a substantial undertaking in 2002 with the acquisition of Access Bank.
Nevertheless, their acquisition encountered obstacles when the Central Bank of Nigeria initially expressed apprehensions regarding their age and aptitude to possess a bank.
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Notwithstanding these obstacles, Access Bank underwent exceptional expansion from 2002 to 2017, ultimately attaining the position of the fourth-largest bank in Nigeria.
Wigwe occupied a number of significant roles within the bank during this time, including that of deputy managing director from 2002 to 2014.
Furthermore, in 2013, he was appointed chairman of Access Bank Ghana Limited. Access Bank’s CEO and group managing director since January 2014 until his untimely demise, Wigwe held these positions.
In 2018, Access Bank consolidated its position as the largest bank in Nigeria through a merger with Diamond Bank, which made headlines. Wigwe had lofty objectives regarding the bank’s expansion into Asia at the beginning of 2024.
His untimely demise, nevertheless, thwarted the implementation of this expansion strategy. In addition to his notable contributions to the financial industry, Wigwe played a pivotal role in the inception of the Access Conference, a leadership series with the objective of confronting worldwide challenges.
Since its inception in 2013, the Access Conference has functioned as a forum where international leaders are actively involved in dialogues concerning urgent matters that impact the human race.
In years, Herbert Wigwe A biographical account His age in years is 57. His demise occurred on August 15, 1966. Biography of Herbert Wigwe, his wife The name of her spouse is Doreen Chizoba Wigwe.
Personal Life
Wigwe and Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, who were wed on July 12, 1967, had four children and were perpetually in good faith.
Awards
Wigwe garnered commendation for his exceptional contributions to the financial industry and to society at large.
He was named the Banker of the Year by The Sun and Vanguard, two esteemed Nigerian publications, in 2016. Furthermore, he was esteemed as the State Patron for Lagos State Council by the Boys’ Brigade in 2016, in acknowledgement of his outstanding contributions to youth development and exemplary societal standing.
Moreover, President Muhammadu Buhari bestowed upon him the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, a highly esteemed national honor of Nigeria, in October 2022.
Additionally, see Chizomba Wigwe’s Age, Biography, Husband, and Net Worth. Herbert
Wigwe’s Death
A Biography A tragic incident transpired on February 9, 2024, when a Eurocopter EC130 transporting six people, including Wigwe, plummeted in the vicinity of Nipton, California.
His wife, Doreen Chizoba Wigwe, and his January 1995-born son, Chizi Wigwe, were among the victims. Two crew members and former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc Abimbola Ogunbanjo were also tragically lost.
On an Orbic Air-operated charter flight, the passengers were en route from Palm Springs International Airport to Boulder City, Nevada.
They were on their way to Las Vegas in order to attend Super Bowl LVIII, the National Football League championship game, which was slated to take place that Sunday. Biography of Herbert Wigwe:
Net Worth
Herbert Wigwe has garnered a substantial fortune by virtue of his banking and investment endeavors. Although the precise amount of his wealth is not publicly known, approximations place it at approximately $65.2 million.
This accolade situates him among the most affluent financiers in Africa, a testament to his accomplishments and impact within the financial industry.