ABUJA: Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder and CEO of Nigeria’s largest bank, Access Bank Group, along with his wife and son, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in California.
Access Holdings confirmed the heartbreaking news, expressing profound grief over the untimely demise of Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen, and their son Chizi. The family, along with former Nigeria Stock Exchange president Abimbola Ogunbanjo and two crew members, were among the six persons onboard the Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter that crashed near Nipton, California, around 10 pm local time.
While the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the crash, details surrounding the cause remain under investigation.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting the significant contributions of Herbert Wigwe to the banking sector. Similarly, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo described the news as “devastating,” expressing shock at the involvement of Wigwe’s family and friends in the accident.
Herbert Wigwe, who had been instrumental in shaping Access Bank’s trajectory since assuming the role of deputy managing director in 2002, was hailed as a visionary leader whose passion and energy were pivotal in the bank’s transformation. Access Bank, recognized as Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, mourned the loss of Wigwe, lauding his indelible mark on the institution’s growth and success.
