Unveiling Herbert Wigwe’s Business Empire: Access Holdings, Wigwe University, and More
On February 9, 2024, Herbert Wigwe, a well-known figure in the Nigerian banking space, tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident in the United States, together with his wife, son, and former president of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Abimbola Ogunbanjo. Herbert Wigwe was instrumental in directing the development of the financial industry in that nation.
The chairman of Access Holdings, Abubakar Jimoh, confirmed his passing and praised his record of expansion and operational success.
Wigwe was instrumental in directing the development of the financial industry in Nigeria.
Using calculated acquisitions and collaborations, he converted Access Bank Plc into Access Holdings, which is currently the biggest lender in Nigeria in terms of assets. Wigwe started his career at Coopers & Lybrand Associates and managed various portfolios for over ten years at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
He bought Access Bank in 2002 along with business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Here are some of the businesses that are linked to Wigwe: Access Holdings With operations in 12 African countries, Access Holdings is a dominant force in the financial services industry in Nigeria and is actively extending its footprint in Africa and Europe.
As the parent firm of numerous subsidiaries engaged in banking, asset management, payments, insurance, pensions, and other financial services, Access Holdings embodies Wigwe’s idea of a strong and diverse financial ecosystem.
Wigwe, the group managing director and CEO, owned a $54 million interest in the company, or 9.09%. Access Bank Plc The central banking division of Access Holdings, Access Bank Plc, is a well-known full-service commercial bank.
Access Bank, a massive network that spans three continents and eighteen countries and serves over 49 million people, is proof of Wigwe’s strategic acumen. Along with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Wigwe acquired Access Bank in 2002.
Since then, the two have masterminded revolutionary actions that have resulted in Access Bank becoming Nigeria’s largest bank, most notably the historic acquisition of Diamond Bank in 2018.
Tengen Holdings The Wigwe family’s financial interests are represented by Tengen Holdings Limited, an investment holding company headquartered in Mauritius.
Tengen Holdings has been instrumental in recent years in helping Wigwe secure further shares in Access Holdings, bringing his total ownership to 9.09%.
This action demonstrated the family’s dedication to long-term growth and represented a calculated investment in the financial environment.
HOW Foundation The Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe Foundation (HOW Foundation), established by Wigwe in 2016, is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to health projects, including raising awareness of prostate cancer and malaria and youth development and leadership.
The organisation supports educational initiatives like the yearly God’s Children Great Talent competition; thus, its influence goes beyond health. The charity showed its dedication to community welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing food and relief supplies. Wigwe University The unveiling of Wigwe University in November 2023 marked the pinnacle of Wigwe’s educational dedication.
With the promise of a game-changing $500 million investment, Wigwe set out to create an inventive, internationally competitive institution to solve Nigeria’s skills gap. With its impending opening, the institution is built to represent Wigwe’s lifelong goal of influencing Nigeria’s future via cutting-edge learning and the upbringing of the continent’s future leaders.
Dangote, Abiodun, others visit Wigwe’s parents
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, and others paid a condolence visit to the late Wigwe’s parents.
Others who joined in the condolence visit are, political economist, Prof Pat Utomi; the Chairman of Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; and the Founder of Stanbic IBTC and Anap Foundation, Atedo Peterside, among others.
Abiodun said the associates prayed to God to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and bring solace to the grieving families.
Source: Legit.ng