Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the appointment of Ifeyinwa Osime as the new board chairman of Access Bank, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, SAN, who stepped down on January 29, 2026, after completing his regulatory tenure. The announcement was formally communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Limited in a notice issued by company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.
The appointment of Osime underscores Access Bank’s commitment to strong corporate governance and continuity in strategic leadership. Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Chairman of Access Holdings, praised Osime’s integrity and experience, highlighting her deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“Mrs. Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a comprehensive grasp of the Bank’s vision and operations,” Aig-Imoukhuede said. “Her appointment will ensure that Access Bank continues to deliver sustainable value to shareholders and stakeholders while advancing its ambition to become the World’s Most Respected African Bank.”
The outgoing chairman, Paul Usoro, was commended for his exemplary leadership, dedication, and the significant contributions he made to the growth and stability of the Group during his tenure.
Osime brings a wealth of experience in corporate governance, legal practice, and strategic management. She joined Access Bank’s Board in November 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and previously chaired the Board Human Resources and Sustainability Committee as well as the Board Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. Her leadership in these roles has been instrumental in shaping the Bank’s governance and sustainability frameworks.
In addition to her responsibilities at Access Bank, Osime serves as a director at Ebudo Trust Limited and is a Partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, advising on corporate and commercial legal matters. Her board experience spans Coronation Insurance Plc, Coronation Life Insurance Company Ltd, and Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Limited).
Osime’s career began at Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and later at African Development Insurance Company Limited (ADIC, now NSIA Insurance) as Company Secretary and Assistant General Manager, Administration & Legal. She is a law graduate of the University of Benin, called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987, and holds a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics. She has also completed executive education programmes at prestigious institutions including INSEAD, IMD, Harvard Business School, MIT, and Stanford.
She is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group. Beyond her professional work, Osime is committed to mentoring young professionals and supporting inclusion initiatives, including the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community.
Her appointment is expected to provide continuity in leadership at Access Bank and reinforce the institution’s strategic focus on governance, sustainability, and long-term value creation for shareholders and stakeholders.
