Bolaji Agbede Biography
Bolaji Agbede is the acting CEO of Access Holdings, a leading financial services group in Africa. She was appointed to this position on February 13, 2024, following the tragic death of the former CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash.
She has over 27 years of experience in the banking sector and has been with Access Bank since 2003.
Bolaji Agbede Age
Bolaji Agbede Is 56 years old as of 2024.
Bolaji Agbede State Of Origin
Bolaji Agbede hails from Lagos State, Nigeria.
Bolaji Agbede Early Life and Education
Bolaji Agbede was born on June 15, 1968, in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the third of four children of a civil servant father and a teacher mother. She attended St. Mary’s Private School for her primary education and Queen’s College for her secondary education, where she excelled in mathematics and science.
Agbede developed an interest in banking and finance from a young age, as she often accompanied her father to his bank and observed the transactions and interactions. She also admired her mother’s dedication and passion for teaching and empowering young girls. She decided to pursue a career that would combine both fields and make a positive impact on society.
She enrolled in the University of Lagos in 1986 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics in 1990. She was among the top students in her class and received several awards and scholarships for her academic performance. She also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as the Mathematics Club, the Debate Society, and the Student Union.
She furthered her education at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, where she obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in 2002.
She specialized in Human Resources Management and Customer Relationship Management, two areas that she believed were essential for the success of any organization.
She also joined the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, to enhance her professional skills and network.
Bolaji Agbede Career
Agbede started her professional career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank, where she served in various capacities within the commercial banking and operations functions, rising to the position of manager in 2001.
She then joined JKG Limited, a business consulting outfit, as the chief executive officer in 2003, before moving to Access Bank later that year as an assistant general manager.
At Access Bank, she was responsible for managing the bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies, and later became the head of group human resources in 2010. She played a key role in the bank’s human capital development, culture transformation, and execution of corporate strategies.
She was appointed as the executive director of business support in 2022, becoming the most senior founding executive director of Access Holdings.
Agbede has demonstrated her proficiency in mergers and acquisitions, having participated in several of the sector’s most successful integrations, including those involving Marina International Bank, Capital Bank, Intercontinental Bank, Diamond Bank, and Atlas Mara. She has also overseen the expansion of Access Bank’s operations across Africa and beyond, with a presence in 12 countries and over 40 million customers.
Agbede is a strong proponent of gender equality and equity, having introduced progressive initiatives such as paternity leave, six months’ maternity leave, the bank’s crèche, and the Access Women Network.
She is also a mentor and sponsor of many female employees, helping them to advance their careers and achieve their potential. She has received several awards and recognitions for her contributions to the banking industry and the society at large.
Agbede holds is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. She has attended several prestigious leadership and professional development programs, such as the High-Performance Leadership Programme at IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme at the London Business School.
Bolaji Agbede: The New Acting CEO Of Access Bank
Bolaji Agbede became the acting CEO of Access Holdings on February 13, 2024, following the tragic death of the former CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash. She was appointed by the board of directors of Access Holdings, who considered her the most senior founding executive director and the most suitable candidate to lead the company in the interim The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Bolaji Agbede Personal Life
Bolaji Agbede is married and has two sons.
Bolaji Agbede Net Worth
Bolaji Agbede’s net worth as of 2024 was at $420,000. This is based on her position as a director and board member of Access Holdings Plc.
