Access Holdings Plc has announced the planned retirement of Mrs Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, with her exit scheduled for April 30, 2026, bringing to a close a significant chapter in the bank’s executive leadership.
The disclosure was made in a corporate filing submitted to the Nigerian Exchange, confirming that her departure aligns with the completion of her approved tenure within the institution’s governance structure.
Okoli has been a central figure in Access Bank’s leadership team since joining as an Executive Director in March 2019. She later rose to the role of Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, in 2022, where she oversaw key retail banking operations and contributed to expanding the bank’s customer reach across diverse markets.
Over the course of her leadership, she played an instrumental role in deepening retail banking penetration, strengthening support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and advancing the bank’s broader financial inclusion agenda.
Her banking career spans more than 30 years, beginning in 1992 at the former Diamond Bank, where she steadily progressed through various roles before becoming an Executive Director in 2016. Following the 2019 merger between Diamond Bank and Access Bank, she transitioned seamlessly into Access Bank’s executive leadership structure.
Widely respected within the financial services industry, Okoli is recognized for her expertise in commercial and retail banking, as well as her contributions to business development and inclusive banking strategies in Nigeria.
Access Bank described her retirement as part of a planned leadership transition process and expressed appreciation for her years of service and impact on the institution’s growth journey.
Her exit in April 2026 will mark the end of an influential tenure within one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.
