Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as the new Chairman of its Board, following the retirement of Paul Usoro on January 29, 2026, after completing his regulatory tenure.
The appointment was announced in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Monday, signed by the company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi. According to the disclosure, Osime assumes the role as Chairman of the Board of Access Bank Plc, the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc.
Osime, a seasoned legal practitioner and corporate governance specialist, has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the bank’s board since November 2019. During this period, she chaired key committees, including the Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee, where she played a pivotal role in driving leadership development, governance reforms, and sustainability-focused initiatives.
Her extensive boardroom experience spans several financial and insurance institutions, including Coronation Insurance Plc, Coronation Life Insurance Company Ltd, and Bank PHB, now known as Keystone Bank Limited. Beyond the banking sector, she is a Director at Ebudo Trust Limited and a Partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial law matters.
Commenting on the appointment, Group Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described Osime as a leader with strong values and deep institutional knowledge. He noted that her appointment positions the bank to continue delivering long-term value to shareholders while maintaining its commitment to stakeholders.
Paul Usoro was praised for his exemplary leadership and contributions to the growth and stability of the bank during his tenure. He is expected to remain a respected member of the Access Bank family.
Osime holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Benin and a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics. She has also completed executive education programmes at leading global institutions, including INSEAD, IMD, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, underscoring her commitment to global best practices in leadership and corporate governance.