Family, friends celebrate Wigwe

Family members, friends, and associates gathered to celebrate the 60th posthumous birthday of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the former Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank. Wigwe, who passed away on February 9, 2024, would have marked his 60th birthday on Saturday.

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Beyond banking, he devoted considerable attention and resources to building institutions, supporting young people and creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

His legacy extends across banking, education, healthcare, and youth development in Nigeria and internationally. Wigwe was recognized as a leading African financial executive, instrumental in transforming and expanding Access Bank. Beyond his corporate achievements, he dedicated significant resources to building institutions and creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

Wigwe was also a mentor who believed in empowering people. As Co-CEO of Access Bank and later Access Holdings, he drove the financial institution's growth from a Nigerian bank into a multinational financial services group. His vision was to build an African institution capable of global competition.

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To his family, friends and associates, Wigwe was also a mentor and a firm believer in the ability of people to achieve more when given the right opportunities.

His influence reached beyond Access Bank. As Chairman of the Bankers’ Committee, he engaged in crucial discussions on the Nigerian banking industry and economy. He collaborated with government officials and regulators, believing the private sector must contribute to national development and help solve social and economic challenges.

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As Co-CEO of Access Bank and later Access Holdings, he played a major role in the growth of the financial institution from a Nigerian bank into a financial services group with operations across several countries.

Wigwe's commitment to societal impact was evident in The HOW Foundation, established in 2016. Through the foundation, he supported education, healthcare, mentorship, and youth development programs, including initiatives for disadvantaged children and medical scholarships. His ambitious project, Wigwe University, underscored his belief in education's transformative power for Africa, aiming to develop a new generation of African leaders.

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Wigwe’s ambition was not simply to build a successful Nigerian bank but to develop an African institution capable of competing with leading financial organisations around the world.