Co-founder of Access Bank and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s banking industry,Herbert Wigwe has been laid to rest in his hometown of Isiokpo, Rivers State. The funeral follows a tragic helicopter crash in California last month, which claimed the lives of Mr. Wigwe, his wife, and son, along with four others.
The burial ceremony concluded a week-long series of funeral rites held in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub. Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, joined other dignitaries to pay their respects at the funeral. Mr. Dangote announced plans to honor Herbert Wigwe by naming a road leading to his oil refinery after the late co-founder.
Expressing his grief, Dangote stated, “I feel very helpless because I could not prevent the tragedy that befell my friend, brother, and mentee – a very loyal friend for that matter.” The memorial service garnered tributes from around the world, including a representative for French President Emmanuel Macron, who remarked, “France has lost a great friend in Herbert Wigwe.”
Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima mourned the loss, stating, “Herbert left us in winter before the season of bloom.”
The fatal helicopter crash occurred last month as the aircraft was en route to Las Vegas to attend the Super Bowl. Poor weather conditions, including rain and snow showers, were reported in the area. The crash site, near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve, claimed the lives of both pilots and a former president of the Nigerian stock exchange.
Herbert Wigwe, who founded Access Bank in 1989, played a pivotal role in making it the largest bank in Nigeria in 2018 following the acquisition of its main competitor, Diamond Bank. He was recognized as a leading figure in the banking industry and had been actively working to expand the bank’s presence across the continent. His vision extended beyond banking, with plans to launch Wigwe University, a higher learning tertiary institute, in September.
President Bola Tinubu, at the time of Mr. Wigwe’s death, expressed deep sorrow, describing the loss as “shocking beyond comprehension.” The legacy of Herbert Wigwe continues to be remembered not only in the banking sector but also in his contributions to education and his commitment to Africa’s economic development.