ACCESS BANK : Ifeyinwa Osime succeeds Paul Usoro as Chairperson of the Board
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Ifeyinwa Osime, the new Chairperson of Access Bank’s Board of Directors
(LVDE) — Pan-African bank Access Bank takes a significant step in its governance with the appointment of Ifeyinwa Osime as Chairperson of its Board of Directors. This decision, following the retirement of Paul Usoro SAN, reflects the group’s strategic continuity and commitment to strengthening expertise in corporate governance and sustainability.
On February 2, 2026, Access Bank Plc officially announced the appointment of Ifeyinwa Osime as the new Chairperson of its Board of Directors, succeeding Paul Usoro SAN, who retired on January 29 after completing his regulatory term. This carefully planned transition aligns with the proactive governance approach the group has cultivated over the years.
A board member since November 2019, Ifeyinwa Osime has already demonstrated her ability to lead key committees, including those responsible for Human Resources and Sustainability, Governance, and Nomination & Remuneration. With over twenty years of experience, she has worked across diverse sectors including law, insurance, and reinsurance, with notable tenures at McPherson Legal Practitioners, NSIA Insurance, and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation. Her background highlights a deep expertise in strategy, risk management, and corporate governance, critical skills for supporting Access Bank’s growth across Africa and international markets.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, emphasized that Ms. Osime brings “solid experience and expertise in strategy and governance” and is “ideally positioned to continue driving the bank’s growth across the continent and globally.” According to him, her appointment reflects the group’s intention to strengthen governance practices while ensuring stability within its decision-making bodies.
This reorganization forms part of a broader restructuring at Access Holdings. Following the death of former CEO Herbert Wigwe in 2024, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede returned as group chairman to maintain strategic continuity. In August 2025, Innocent Ike was appointed CEO of the group, a move approved by regulators, following Roosevelt Ogbonna’s resignation from the board in line with new corporate governance rules.
Through this appointment, Access Bank sends a clear signal to markets: the bank is committed to enhancing governance, diversifying leadership, and leveraging the expertise of its executives to drive growth, sustainability, and international expansion. For Ifeyinwa Osime, it represents an opportunity to apply her strategic and governance skills to consolidate Access Bank’s position as a leading player in the African banking sector.
Tressy Chouente
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