Access Holdings pivots to ‘Value Creation’ strategy as PBT hits ₦1tn - ITREALMS

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Access Holdings Plc has officially signaled a strategic transition from rapid expansion to disciplined, long-term value creation. During the Group’s 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 10, 2026, the Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient, diversified financial ecosystem despite the volatile macroeconomic climate, reports ITREALMS.

The Group’s 2025 financial performance showcased significant growth, with Profit Before Tax (PBT) hitting a landmark ₦1.007 trillion. Total assets surged to ₦51.56 trillion, bolstered by a strong growth in customer deposits that reflects deep-seated trust in the Access brand.

However, the Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (CFR), highlighted that the institution chose "prudence over optics" during the fiscal year. By accelerating provisions on legacy credit exposures, the Group consciously traded short-term earnings optimization for long-term balance sheet strength.

"Periods of economic uncertainty often reveal more about an institution than periods of uninterrupted growth," Aig-Imoukhuede noted. "Our focus remains on building a business that is not only growing, but improving in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of its earnings."

The AGM underscored the Group’s evolution into a comprehensive financial services provider. While banking remains the core engine, emerging platforms are becoming critical drivers of the Group's scalability, Access ARM Pensions and Access Insurance Brokers; Oxygen X Finance and Hydrogen Payments.

This "ecosystem approach" is central to the Group’s new strategy, "From Scale to Value." According to the Chairman, while the Group’s previous phase focused on building regional scale, this next chapter is dedicated to ensuring that earnings consistently exceed the cost of capital to unlock sustainable shareholder value.

The Board addressed shareholder concerns regarding dividend distribution, clarifying that the temporary suspension was a result of regulatory compliance and prudent capital management, rather than financial weakness. Aig-Imoukhuede assured shareholders that the Board intends to resume dividend payments as soon as regulatory conditions are fully satisfied.

The meeting also served to introduce the Group’s strengthened leadership team, following the appointment of Innocent C. Ike as the Group Managing Director/CEO and Ibironke Adeyemi as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Shareholders also formally recognized the contributions of Bolaji Agbede, who steered the Group as Acting GCEO during the leadership transition.

Chuks Egbune/DoP