Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe (1966–2024) was a distinguished Nigerian banker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As the Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank Plc, he played a pivotal role in transforming the institution into one of Nigeria’s leading financial entities. Beyond his banking career, Wigwe was renowned for his commitment to philanthropy and education, notably founding The HOW Foundation and Wigwe University.
Early Life and Education
Born on August 15, 1966, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Herbert Wigwe was the son of a Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority and a nurse. He began his education in Ibadan and continued at Federal Government Colleges in Sokoto and Warri, completing his secondary education in 1982. Wigwe earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1987.
In 1990, he received a British Council scholarship to study at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), obtaining a Master of Arts in Banking and Finance in 1991. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Financial Economics from the University of London in 1996 and attended the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program. In 2018, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, awarded him an honorary doctorate.
Banking Career
Wigwe began his professional journey at Coopers & Lybrand as a management consultant in the late 1980s, becoming a chartered accountant in 1989. He then joined Guaranty Trust Bank, where he served for over a decade, rising to the position of Executive Director in 1998.
In 2002, alongside his business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Wigwe acquired Access Bank. Despite initial delays due to regulatory concerns about their age, the duo successfully transformed the bank from its 65th position to become the 4th largest bank in Nigeria by 2017. Wigwe served as Deputy Managing Director from 2002 to 2014 and then as CEO and Group Managing Director from January 2014 until his passing in 2024. Under his leadership, Access Bank merged with Diamond Bank in 2018, solidifying its position as Nigeria’s largest bank.
Philanthropy and The HOW Foundation
In 2016, Wigwe established The HOW Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Lagos. The foundation focuses on healthcare, education, and mentorship, with initiatives such as “Give Malaria No Place,” which collaborates with Doctors Save A Life Foundation to combat malaria through education, testing, and distribution of preventive tools. The foundation also promotes prostate cancer awareness and supports youth through leadership seminars and scholarships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided essential relief materials to communities in Rivers State.
Also Read: https://seokingsclub.com/ed-sheeran-details-the-lovestruck-jitters-in-sweet-new-single/
Wigwe University
Demonstrating his commitment to education, Wigwe founded Wigwe University in 2023 in his hometown of Isiokpo, Rivers State. The institution aims to rival top universities globally, offering quality education and fostering leadership among African youths. Wigwe envisioned the university as a catalyst for unlocking Africa’s potential and nurturing future leaders.
Advocacy and Sustainable Development
Wigwe was a passionate advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He frequently spoke at business forums, urging global businesses to commit to achieving these goals. As Group Managing Director of Access Bank, he became the first African sponsor of the United Nations Global Compact Initiative. He also served on the board of Nigeria’s Business Coalition Against AIDS and partnered with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa, reflecting his dedication to health and social causes.
Awards and Recognitions
Throughout his illustrious career, Wigwe received numerous accolades. In 2016, he was named Banker of the Year by The Sun and Vanguard newspapers. He was inaugurated as State Patron for the Lagos State Council of the Boys’ Brigade in recognition of his contributions to youth development. In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred upon him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.
Personal Life
Wigwe married Doreen Chizoba Nwuba in 1994, and together they had five children. Tragically, on February 9, 2024, while en route to attend Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and former Nigerian Exchange Group Chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo perished in a helicopter crash near Nipton, California. Their remains were repatriated to Nigeria and interred in Isiokpo on March 9, 2024, following a week-long memorial attended by prominent figures, including Aliko Dangote, who pledged to honor Wigwe’s legacy.
Legacy
Herbert Wigwe’s impact on Nigeria’s banking sector and his philanthropic endeavors have left an indelible mark. His visionary leadership transformed Access Bank into a leading financial institution, and his commitment to social causes continues to inspire. Through The HOW Foundation and Wigwe University, his legacy of empowering youth and advocating for sustainable development endures, reflecting his unwavering dedication to the progress and prosperity of Nigeria and Africa at large.
