Access Bank Strengthens Risk Governance With New Executive Director Appointment

By Johnson Emmanuel 

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Ifedayo Olaniyi Orimoloye as Executive Director, Risk Management of Access Bank Plc, following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The appointment takes effect on September 21, 2026.

DEVELOPMENT:

Orimoloye joins the board of Access Bank with more than 25 years of risk management experience across financial institutions in Africa, Europe and the United States. His expertise covers enterprise risk management, capital optimisation, credit governance, regulatory compliance and strategic transformation.

Mr. Ifedayo Olaniyi Orimoloye

He was previously Group Chief Risk Officer of the African Development Bank, where he oversaw a portfolio exceeding US$40 billion and supported the institution’s continued AAA ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

He previously held senior risk positions at Sterling Bank Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Wells Fargo Bank, HSBC and Citigroup.

DATA:

The appointment brings more than 25 years of international risk experience to Access Bank, including oversight of an African Development Bank (AfDB) portfolio exceeding US$40 billion.

Orimoloye holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Finance and an MBA in Finance from California State University, Hayward.

SIGNIFICANCE:

For investors, the appointment places risk management experience at the centre of Access Bank’s governance architecture as the institution continues to operate across multiple markets.

Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, said that Orimoloye brings “strong global risk management experience and strategic leadership” to Access Bank’s board.

“His appointment will further strengthen the bank’s risk governance and support its scale to value focus,” Aig-Imoukhuede said, stating that the group looks forward to his contribution to its “long-term value creation agenda.”

NEXT MOVE:

The immediate watch point is how Orimoloye’s risk mandate translates into credit governance, capital optimisation, regulatory compliance and risk oversight across Access Bank’s operations.

The appointment was made in line with applicable regulatory requirements and the bank’s corporate governance framework.

OUR LENS:

The appointment points to risk governance becoming an increasingly central component of Access Bank’s scale strategy.

As Access Bank operates across multiple markets, the quality of its risk architecture becomes closely connected to capital preservation, regulatory confidence and sustainable stakeholder value.

The appointment, authorised by the board and disclosed by Sunday Ekwochi, Group Company Secretary, therefore places an experienced international risk executive at a critical point in the bank’s governance structure.

Johnson Emmanuel is a journalist, covering business, investment, monetary & fiscal policies, CBN, economic affairs and issues of significance to Nigeria’s corporate and public sectors.