Access Holdings Plc has announced the retirement of Mrs. Chizoma Okoli as Deputy Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, effective April 30, 2026.
The disclosure, released to the Nigerian Exchange and the investing public, confirms that Mrs. Okoli’s exit follows the expiration of her term as she concludes a leadership period that spanned key phases of the bank’s retail expansion strategy.
Mrs. Okoli joined Access Bank in March 2019 as an Executive Director and was elevated to Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, in March 2022.
During her tenure, she played a central role in strengthening the bank’s retail banking operations, expanding its customer base, and deepening its engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises across multiple markets.
Her leadership coincided with a period of aggressive retail penetration and digital expansion by the bank, positioning Access Bank as one of the leading players in Nigeria’s retail and SME banking segment.
Industry analysts note that the retail segment has increasingly become a critical driver of low-cost deposits and transaction volumes for tier-one banks.
While the company did not immediately announce a successor, the timing of the retirement suggests a planned transition aligned with corporate governance and tenure limits within the group’s leadership structure.
The Board of Access Holdings Plc expressed appreciation for Mrs. Okoli’s contributions, highlighting her role in advancing the bank’s retail footprint and enhancing its service proposition to customers.
For investors, the development underscores ongoing leadership evolution within the group as it continues to execute its broader growth strategy across banking and non-banking subsidiaries.
Although the retirement is not expected to materially impact near-term financial performance, market participants will monitor any subsequent leadership appointments for signals on strategic direction, particularly within the retail and SME segments.
Access Holdings maintains an investor relations platform through its corporate website and continues to provide channels for shareholder engagement as part of its disclosure and governance framework.
