Herbert Wigwe was the co-founder of Access Bank which is the country’s biggest bank by assets.
Wigwe was 57 years old and was happily married to Chizoba Wigwe, and the marriage was blessed with four children.
He had a degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria, an MA in Banking and Finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor), an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London, and was an alumnus of the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program.
Wigwe won the British Council Scholarship to do his master’s at North Wales University (now Bangor University) in 1990. In 1991, he got his masters in Banking and Finance.
He built a $500 million eponymous university in his hometown in Rivers State. He said Wigwe University will offer undergraduate courses in management, science and engineering, information technology, and creative arts.
Wigwe previously told BusinessDay that the university has built a power plant to supply electricity to the university and will use holograms and artificial intelligence to ensure a hybrid system for students.
Herbert Wigwe and his close friend, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede were presented with a business deal to acquire a small-scale commercial bank – Access Bank in 2002.
Wigwe has helped to develop some of Africa’s biggest companies in the construction, telecommunications, energy, oil, and gas sectors through Access Bank.
Herbert Wigwe Quotes
“Be empathetic, considerate, kind, and respectful. People may forget what you gave to them but they won’t lose the memory of how you made them feel.”
“The world is changing and Nigeria is beginning to pay attention to young creative people. No matter the outcome, I urge you to keep telling your stories. Don’t be scared to make your mark in the creative space. The future is beautiful.”
“If you want to fly, you have to give up the negativity that weighs you down. Give wings to the greatness within you. Soar!”
“Increasingly, you’ll find that any repetitive task will be replaced by technology. We must, therefore, retrain and reskill our people and ourselves to fit into the new world.”
“Success is a meaningless word without failure. I have failed many times, but in every wrong turn, and every misstep, there are important lessons. Embrace them.”
“When I look at the faces of children, I see endless possibilities. All they need is a little help, a little hope, a little love, and someone who believes in them. God bless the child.”
“If you think the grass is greener on the other side, remember one thing: The grass is greener where you water it.”
“Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience, and connect. Let’s honor this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.”