On February 9, 2024, a helicopter crashed over the southern California desert in the U.S., killing all six people on board. Among the victims were Herbert Wigwe, Group CEO of Access Holdings Plc, his wife, and their son. The sudden death of Wigwe, a leading banker and supporter of sustainable banking, was tragic enough, but losing his wife and son in the same crash made it even more heartbreaking, shocking the entire nation.
Dr. Wigwe was a visionary leader. Along with his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, he bought Access Bank in 2002 and turned it from a struggling bank into one of Africa’s fastest-growing financial institutions. Under Wigwe’s leadership, Access Bank’s total assets grew from N2.1 trillion in 2014 to N26.45 trillion in 2023 after restructuring into a holding company. The bank expanded its presence from 7 countries to 21 across 3 continents, now serving over 60 million customers through more than 600 branches and outlets.
Wigwe’s death at just 57 years old, leaving behind his elderly parents, made his funeral a solemn event. However, public outrage flared when the wife of his church pastor threw an extravagant birthday party just days before the burial. Many saw this as disrespectful to Wigwe, who was a major donor to the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The pastor was eventually suspended due to the backlash.
The funeral also caused a stir when top politicians and business leaders gathered for the service. Governor Siminalayi Fubara gave a speech reflecting on the shortness of life and the emptiness of political power struggles. But Senate President Godwill Akpabio responded directly, saying, “So your excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
Despite the controversies, Dr. Wigwe’s impact on banking and finance in Nigeria and across Africa will never be forgotten.