Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Uche Orji as an Independent Non-Executive Director of its subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, effective January 7, 2025, following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The appointment underscores the bank’s commitment to enhancing corporate governance and leveraging seasoned expertise to drive strategic growth.
Mr. Orji is a highly respected investment banking professional, finance expert, and technology entrepreneur with over three decades of experience across global financial markets.
He is the Co-founder and Partner of Titangate Capital Management, an equity firm focused on investments in deep-tech, enterprise software, semiconductors, hardware, and artificial intelligence.
He is also the Founder and Director of Vitesse Africa Limited, an investment advisory firm specializing in energy, technology, and infrastructure across Africa.
Also, Mr. Orji serves as an Executive Board Member and investor in Ultrasafe AI, an artificial intelligence and IT development company that collaborates with leading global technology firms.
He is a Board Member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), London, where he also chairs the Risk Committee.
His vast career includes serving as the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), a role in which he played a pivotal part in managing Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund. Before NSIA, he held senior leadership roles in major global financial institutions, including:
- Managing Director and Senior Analyst at UBS Securities Limited, New York
- Managing Director and Head of European Technology/Semiconductor Equity Research at JP Morgan Securities, London
- Executive Director and Portfolio Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, London
- Acting Financial Controller at Diamond Bank Limited
- Audit Trainee at Arthur Andersen & Co.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, Chairman of Access Bank, stated:
“Mr. Orji has been appointed based on his exceptionally rich professional, academic, and corporate board experience which will be invaluable to the Bank as we continue to pursue our strategic objectives.
We are confident that his addition to the Board would further enrich the quality of our decision-making process, enabling us to deliver even greater value to our customers and stakeholders.
His appointment has been made in accordance with the Bank’s internal policies and has been notified to all relevant regulatory authorities, underscoring our commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.
On behalf of the Board, Management, and staff, I warmly welcome Mr. Orji to the Board and look forward to his contributions towards our goal of becoming one of the top 5 African Banks in the shortest possible time.”
The appointment aligns with Access Bank’s long-term strategic vision, reinforcing its focus on corporate governance, leadership excellence, and expanding its footprint in the African and global banking landscape. With Mr. Orji’s extensive expertise in investment, technology, and infrastructure, the bank is poised to enhance its innovation-driven approach to financial services.
The announcement reflects Access Holdings Plc’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its leadership team, ensuring the bank remains competitive in a rapidly evolving financial industry while delivering superior value to its stakeholders.
The appointment was officially confirmed by Sunday Ekwochi, Company Secretary of Access Holdings Plc.