Access Bank Plc has named Mrs. Ifeyinwa Osime as the new Chairman of its Board, marking a significant leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s largest commercial banks.
The appointment follows the retirement of Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, who stepped down as Chairman on January 29, 2026, after completing his tenure. Mrs. Ifeyinwa Osime moves from Independent Non-Executive Director to Chairman/Independent Non-Executive Director
About Mrs. Ifeyinwa Osime
Mrs. Osime, an accomplished legal practitioner and seasoned corporate governance expert, has been an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Access Bank board since November 2019. During her time on the board, she chaired key committees including the Board Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Board Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, where she played a central role in strengthening governance standards, leadership development, talent management, and the bank’s sustainability agenda.
A versatile professional with over 30 years of experience spanning commercial legal practice, insurance, and board-level leadership, Mrs. Osime was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. She holds an LL.M in Commercial & Corporate Law from the London School of Economics (1988–1989) and has held senior roles, including Partner at Macpherson Legal Practitioners, former Chairperson of PHB Healthcare Limited, and directorships at Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank) and other financial institutions.
Mrs. Osime’s elevation is widely seen as a vote of confidence in her governance credentials and deep institutional knowledge of the bank. It also reinforces Access Bank’s commitment to continuity, diversity, and high standards of board oversight as it maintains its position among Nigeria’s tier-1 lenders.
