Access Bank Appoints Ifeyinwa Osime as Board Chair Following Paul Usoro’s Retirement

 

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as the new Chair of its Board of Directors, marking a significant leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s largest banks. The appointment follows the retirement of Paul Usoro, SAN, who stepped down on January 29, 2026 after completing his regulatory tenure limit. 

Osime, a seasoned legal practitioner with a strong track record in corporate governance and strategic leadership, has served on the Access Bank board since November 2019 as an Independent Non‑Executive Director. Before her elevation to board chair, she led key committees, including the Board Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Board Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, contributing significantly to governance improvements and leadership development at the bank. 

Beyond her role at Access Bank, Osime brings extensive experience from the legal and financial sectors. She is a Director at Ebudo Trust Limited and a Partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial legal matters. Her previous board roles include positions with Coronation Insurance Plc, Coronation Life Assurance Company Ltd, and Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Limited).

Osime holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Benin and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics. She has also completed executive education programmes at prestigious global institutions, enhancing her expertise in leadership and governance. 

Commenting on the appointment, Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, Group Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, described Mrs. Osime as a leader of integrity with deep institutional knowledge. He expressed confidence that under her leadership, Access Bank would continue to deliver sustainable value to shareholders and stakeholders while advancing its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank. 

The bank also honoured Mr. Usoro for his service, acknowledging his leadership and contributions during his tenure and noting that he remains a valued member of the broader Access Bank family.