A report was released on the cause of Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son tragic end, according to reports from the US Transport National board the helicopter crash was as a result Super the Pilot inability to determine and control the motion, position and altitude of the helicopter.
On February 9, 2024, Herbert Wigwe’s life was tragically cut short in a helicopter crash in California. Alongside him were his wife, son, and others — a heartbreaking moment that sent shockwaves across Nigeria and beyond. But though his life ended too soon, his impact endures.
Herbert Wigwe’s most public and profound impact was in the financial sector. Alongside his business partner, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Wigwe acquired Access Bank in 2002 when it was a relatively small player in Nigeria’s banking space. Under his leadership, the bank transformed into one of the top five banks in Nigeria and eventually evolved into a top-tier financial institution across Africa.
As Group CEO from 2014 and later CEO of Access Holdings Plc in 2022, Wigwe championed aggressive expansion — both locally and internationally. He led successful mergers, notably with Diamond Bank in 2019, which significantly increased Access Bank’s customer base and branch network.
Through these strategic moves, Wigwe helped create a banking institution that prioritized financial inclusion, digital innovation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). His commitment to sustainability and responsible banking also stood out, aligning Access Bank with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards.
Beyond banking, Herbert Wigwe was deeply passionate about human development. Through The HOW Foundation — his non-profit organization — he focused on uplifting lives through health, education, and youth empowerment initiatives.
The foundation ran campaigns on malaria eradication, cancer awareness, and health outreach in underserved communities. In education, scholarships were provided to students with limited access to quality learning, while young entrepreneurs were mentored and supported with resources to grow.
Wigwe believed that true leadership went beyond corporate boardrooms. He often said, “The purpose of wealth is not accumulation, but distribution for the good of others.” This philosophy shaped every philanthropic initiative he touched.
Wigwe was a man of vision — not just for profits, but for people. He regularly advocated for ethical leadership in business, emphasizing that organizations must operate with integrity, transparency, and a sense of responsibility to the communities they serve.
He was an alumnus of Harvard Business School and held advanced degrees in banking and financial economics, yet remained humble and accessible to those around him. He mentored many young professionals in finance, and his leadership style inspired countless others to aim higher — and serve deeper.
Herbert Wigwe did not just build a bank — he built opportunities, empowered dreams, and led with purpose. His story reminds us that success is not measured by wealth, but by the lives we touch and the change we create.
As Nigeria and the world continue to remember him, one thing is clear: Herbert Wigwe’s legacy is not just history — it is an inspiration for the future.
