Global dignitaries and prominent business leaders came together to commemorate the memory of former Access Holdings CEO Herbert Wigwe one year after his untimely death. Key figures from business, politics, and finance came together for the commemoration event, which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos on February 9, 2025, to honor a man whose influence extended well beyond banking.
Wigwe is “a builder of institutions, dreams, and people,” according to President Bola Tinubu, who emphasized his role in Nigeria’s banking industry in his speech. Along with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, French President Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to Wigwe, considering his impact outside of Africa.
Speaking on Wigwe’s contribution to the state’s economic growth, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described his demise as a “deep loss.” Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, highlighted the gap in Nigeria’s banking industry through Bolaji Agbede, the acting CEO of Access Holdings.
Wigwe died on February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash in California, along with his wife Doreen and son Chizi. Business circles admired him for turning Access Holdings into a financial powerhouse under his leadership.
The occasion was full with heartfelt tributes that focused on his mentoring, charitable endeavors, and vision for the economic development of Africa. Representatives from leading financial institutions and other business executives discussed Wigwe’s unwavering ambition and dedication to quality.
After a year, his legacy still serves as motivation, demonstrating that leadership is about more than just business; it’s also about developing people and influencing the future.
