Banking
The Remarkable Journey of Access Holdings
This year marks 22 years since two young Nigerian bankers – Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe – bought a small, nondescript bank and turned it into one of the biggest financial institutions on the continent with a footprint also established in Europe and Asia. It was on March 22, 2002, that the two walked into Plot 1669 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, which was then the corporate headquarters of the bank to assume duty and full control as the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director. The acquisition process took about two years and entailed rigorous negotiations and countless hours of working through documentation. It was one of the most audacious takeovers in the history of the nation’s financial industry. Indeed, the phenomenal growth of the Access Group has become an inspiring success story.
Shortly after the takeover, Access Bank embarked on a five-year transformation agenda, and two years into the plan, the CBN announced the N25 billion capitalisation deadline set for the end of December 2005. The institution’s management went to work, raising the required capital and developing the impetus to seek opportunities for possible mergers and acquisitions. Recognising the opportunity that existed to build scale, the institution mobilised its workforce and quickly raised N15 billion via a public offer, acquired two other small banks, Capital Bank Ltd. and Marina International Bank Ltd., and convinced FMO, the Netherland development finance company, to become an institutional investor through the conversion of a $15 million term loan it had earlier given to the bank. With the N25 billion capitalisation met and surpassed, the race to the top became a fixed goal for the new owners. They then embarked on an aggressive drive to raise money both from local and foreign capital markets.
Between 2006 and 2007, Access Bank raised a local bond issue of N11.9 billion and in 2007 it raised N136 billion in public offerings, including a highly successful and oversubscribed GDR (global depository receipt) and established Access Bank UK. In June 2008, the beginning of the second five-year transformation plan, every action was geared at taking the institution to the top. Between 2009 and 2011, the bank passed CBN’s special audit on governance, liquidity and capital adequacy conducted under the tough-talking Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Three major achievements were also recorded. The bank was awarded IFC Sustainable Bank of the Year; it acquired Intercontinental Bank and was ranked the fourth largest bank in Nigeria as a result of the acquisition.
With these successes, a huge surge of confidence and can-do spirit have by now swept through the entire workforce. Staffers went through a rigorous process of reorientation and change of the bank’s vision and mission; and with business combination with Intercontinental completed in 2012, management staff assumed bigger roles and responsibilities. Access Bank became one of the favourite places to work for bankers from other institutions. The bank was enjoying the pulsating work pace and dynamic work environment, enthralled in seeing the dream of being in the top five becoming a reality year after year.
That same 2012 and spanning 2013, the bank raised $350 million Eurobond in the international market and divested from non-banking subsidiaries. It was also designated as a significant important financial institution by the CBN, one of the very few in the industry. This means a recognition of its huge footprint in the economy, the integrity and respect of its leaders and the fact that the bank could not be allowed to fail under any circumstance. It is for this reason that the CBN recently intervened in the board and management composition of one bank. Another huge milestone came in 2014 when Access Bank issued a $400 million subordinated note (tier 2 bond) and transformed into a large, diversified banking institution.
In January 2014, Herbert Wigwe assumed duty as the Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, after the retirement of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. With enormous goodwill and attractive brand equity, the bank continued to outpace its contemporaries. In 2017, it further shored up its capital by raising N42 billion through a rights issue and issued another $300 million subordinated note.
But it was its merger with Diamond Bank in 2018 that catapulted Access Bank to the number one slot in at least some parameters: assets and retail business with 646 branches. It also recorded the biggest channel touchpoints: 38 million cards; 3,000 ATMs and 34,000 POS terminals. In 2019, Access Bank issued the first green bond in Nigeria. In 2020, it expanded its African business into Kenya and Mozambique and became the first Nigerian bank to set up shop in South Africa. A few weeks ago, the South African ambassador to Nigeria was on TV commending the bank for establishing a branch in his country.
In 2022, Access Bank marked the final year of its previous five-year strategy, which focused on building Africa’s gateway to the world, through the deployment of robust risk management practices, and a flawless execution of its strategic priorities. By all key metrics, the strategy was successfully executed as the bank grew its scale to span over 6,000 dedicated professional staff serving over 52 million customers across 17 markets worldwide.
In the second half of 2022, Access Bank was restructured into a Holding Company – birthing Access Holdings – to realise the potential of the synergies from the various businesses, while expanding product offerings to customers in payments, insurance, consumer finance and pensions.
True to plan, Access Holdings, in 2023, launched its operations in Paris, setting the tone for a robust long-term goal across the Northern Hemisphere. The Group has also strategically ventured into new territories, bringing its expertise, resources, and innovative solutions to areas with immense growth potential. These strategic moves exemplify the company’s vision to be a pan-African force, contributing to economic development across borders. Through its subsidiaries, the institution has played a pivotal role in sectors ranging from finance and banking to agriculture, technology, and healthcare, bringing diverse opportunities to the communities it serves.
In countries where Access Holdings has established a presence, the institution has become a driving force for job creation and entrepreneurship. Access Holdings has sown the seeds of sustainable economic development by supporting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), investing in local businesses, and providing financial solutions tailored to the needs of each market.
The company’s ability to adapt its business model to the unique dynamics of each African market sets it apart, as it recognises that Africa is not a monolithic entity, but a collection of diverse economies with distinct challenges and opportunities. Through its expansion strategy, the institution tailors its approach to address the specific needs of each region, contributing to a more inclusive and holistic development across the continent.
Commencing in the second half of 2024, the Group’s Africa and international expansion strategy will enter the consolidation and efficiency phase, aligning with the institution’s five-year plan to accelerate the attainment of its 2027 strategic objectives.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
President Bola Tinubu has showered praises on Wema Bank Plc for standing strong in the financial services industry in Nigeria at 80.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, the lender rolled out drums to celebrate its eight decades of existence, having been established in 1945 Agbonmagbe Bank Limited to pave the way for indigenous banking to thrive in Nigeria, challenging colonial monopoly of the banking industry to become a provider of financial services tailored to the needs of indigenous Nigerians and businesses.
In his message, Mr Tinubu commended Wema Bank for its unwavering resilience and technological innovations, which have set it apart among Nigeria’s banks.
“Over the last eight decades, the bank has focused on the vision of its founding fathers to support Nigerian businesses across all the key economic sectors with strategic business advisory and financial support, which are vital for sustainable growth,” he remarked.
Further commending the bank’s leadership for staying the course and steering the ship in the right direction, the President underscored the company’s 80 years of impact in the Nigerian financial services sector, expressing his confidence in the lender’s brighter future.
Also, the Governors of Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo States, Mr Dapo Abiodun, Mr Seyi Makind, and Mr Lucky Aitedatiwa, respectively, lauded the financial institution for remaining strong in the industry after 80 years.
In his remarks, the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, pledged the continued commitment of the firm to digital innovation, inclusive banking, and customer-focused service.
He thanked the government, as well as the bank’s partners, customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, for their support and contributions to Wema Bank’s 80-year journey of transformation.
“Corporate longevity in Nigeria is not very common. Many banks, institutions and household names from the 1900s are no longer in existence, and now only live in our memories and industry folklore.
“Against this bleak backdrop, Wema Bank’s story shines. The fact that this great bank is even older than our beloved nation and is still thriving at 80, is a thing of pride and worthy of celebration,” he stated.
“Wema Bank is 80 years strong—and still driven by purpose, innovation and people. We have a big and bold vision for the bank.
“The most imminent milestone is our return to the top tier of banking in Nigeria, and as we look to the future of possibilities ahead, we will remain committed to the time-tested principles that have brought us this far—creativity, innovation and an incurable obsession with our customers,” Mr Oseni said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
This news will surely excite small business owners in Lagos State as the state government has concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Sterling Bank to enable them have access to funds to scale up their ventures.
It was learned that the deal would be signed on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, as part of activities for the launch of a new initiative tagged Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs through Co-operatives (LASMECO).
The Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment in Lagos, Ms Folashade Ambrose, described LASMECO as a first-of-its-kind public-private financing platform that aims to deliver low-interest, risk-mitigated loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across strategic sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, creative industries, manufacturing, and circular economy clusters.
She noted that the Access to Finance for SMEs initiative, which is to be launched by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, would be witnessed by key stakeholders in both public and private sectors, including the Managing Director of BoI, Mr Olasupo Olusi; his counterpart at Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Suleiman; the president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Francis Meshioye; and the president of the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Gabriel Idahosa, among others.
The Commissioner stated that this initiative is a game changer that will accelerate access to finance for SME business owners in the state by providing a loan of up to N10 million at a 9 per cent interest rate for two to three years without a collateral, with 50 per cent guaranteed by Sterling Bank.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A gamified banking platform known as GenFi, coined from Generation Finance, has been launched by Unity Bank Plc to bridge the financial literacy gap among children from 8 and 18 years old.
The new digital banking platform will empower kids and teenagers by teaching them how to manage money effectively, aggregate and track allowances or income, set and achieve savings goals, and develop smart spending habits with parental guidance.
Unity Bank in a statement explained that it introduced this app following a report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which found that only 38 per cent of Nigerian adults are financially literate.
The acting chief executive of Unity Bank, Mr Ebenezer Kolawola, while speaking at the official launch event in Lagos, said Genfi was inspired by the desire to nurture a financially savvy generation, and empower them to make smarter financial choices.
He stated that Genfi App represents a significant milestone since Unity Bank’s foray into retail banking started several years ago, adding that “as the bank continues to evolve, the institution is constantly innovating with technology to enable us drive more financial inclusiveness in different segments of the market.”
“With this app, the bank is pioneering solution designed to empower children, teenagers, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, with essential financial literacy skills and a personal finance management solution.
“GenFi is a market proposition that helps us address a critical knowledge gap among our kids and teens as it also connects with the strong passion of parents desirous to empower their wards with financial literacy,” Mr Kolawole added.
Similarly, the Divisional Head of Retail and SME Banking at Unity Bank, Mrs Adenike Abimbola, described GenFi as a financial product that goes beyond banking: hence a financial literacy ecosystem designed to inculcate financial literacy skills amongst Nigerian children through an engaging and gamified platform.
“Financial literacy is not a luxury. It’s a life skill. And like most life skills, the best time to learn is from childhood. That’s why we created GenFi, not just as a banking app, but as an interactive experience that nurtures discipline, planning, and financial independence from an early age,” Mrs Abimbola explained.
The Genfi platform leverages behavioural science and gamification to make financial learning fun and practical. Parents can monitor transactions, guide financial behaviours, and initiate real-life conversations around money management, thereby promoting not just financial skills, but also stronger family bonds.
“Imagine a 12-year-old setting a goal to save for a bicycle, not only are they learning to save, but they are also learning patience, discipline, and the value of delayed gratification. That’s the GenFi advantage,” Mrs Abimbola added.
Speaking after the launch, one of the students who attended the launch event, Master Ajayi Favour of Victoria Island Junior Secondary School, described Genfi as an “innovative banking solution that will equip children and teenagers with financial intelligence, management, and independence.”
Also, a guest at the launch and school proprietor, Sylvia Ezeora, described the Genfi app as “user-friendly, educational, and motivational for children”. She noted that beyond teaching financial literacy, “the app empowers parents to reinforce positive behaviour through rewards for completed tasks and promotes responsibility”.
Another guest and parent, Genevieve Adindu, commended Unity Bank for the innovative solution, tailored for children aged 8 to 18, and noted that Genfi “provides a modern, engaging approach to instilling saving habits early in life, replacing traditional methods like the kolo with a more effective digital tool, thereby becoming a powerful companion for children’s financial education”.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN