Access Bank Clinches THISDAY’s ‘Global Bank of the Year’ Award, Aig-Imoukhuede is Named ‘Titan of the Year’

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Bank PLC (‘the Bank’), the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC (‘the Company’), has been honoured with the prestigious THISDAY Global Bank of the Year award for 2024, recognising its significant impact on the global banking landscape.

R-L: Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director, Access Bank PLC; Tochi Wigwe, Daughter of Herbert Wigwe, former Group CEO, Access Holdings; Maame Saarah Buckman; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings PLC; Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede, Managing Director, Coronation Asset Management Limited, and Funke Aigbovbioise Aig-Imoukhuede,  at the THISDAY Awards 2025 where Access Bank won Global Bank of the Year award and Aig-Imoukhuede was named Titan of the Year, in Lagos… Monday night

In addition, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, received the distinguished THISDAY Titan of the Year award for his exceptional contributions to the banking sector in 2024.

At THISDAY Awards 2025, Access Bank emerged victorious, surpassing African Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) to claim the coveted title. The prestigious award ceremony, held at Eko Hotels & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, marked the 30th anniversary of THISDAY Newspapers and the 12th anniversary of Arise News Channel, with the theme, “When the Going Gets Tough… The Tough Get Rewarded.”

THISDAY Newspapers highlighted Access Bank’s nomination, praising its strategic leadership, rapid expansion, and unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability. The bank’s leadership in digital banking was also recognised, with Access Bank receiving multiple accolades, including the 2024 Digital Jurist Award for Best Digital Bank.

In addition to its achievements in digital banking, Access Bank has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, earning the 2024 Euromoney Award for Best Bank for ESG in Nigeria and Ghana.
With an expanding international presence in the United Kingdom, Ghana, United Arabs Emirates, China, and several African nations, Access Bank continues to solidify its position as a major global banking player.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left) and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings PLC, exchanging pleasantries at the THISDAY Awards 2025 where Access Bank won Global Bank of the Year award and Aig-Imoukhuede was named Titan of the Year, in Lagos… Monday night

The bank’s innovative approach is further evidenced by its cutting-edge technological initiatives, including Facepay, Access Closa, the AccessMore mobile app, and Africa Fintech Foundry—further establishing Access Bank as a leader in technological advancements, and underscoring its deserving recognition as Global Bank of the Year.

During his acceptance speech, Access Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Roosevelt Ogbonna, expressed his gratitude to the public, THISDAY Newspapers, and Arise Media Group for the recognition. He remarked, “This award represents 30 years of hard work of doing things differently, and of building on the legacy of industry giants like Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe. We are deeply grateful to our board, management, customers, and stakeholders, who have continuously supported us. This award is for you, and we accept it in your honour.”

In a similar vein, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, along with 11 other influential leaders, was recognised with the THISDAY Titan of the Year award for 2024. Reflecting on his journey, Aig-Imoukhuede shared, “In 1991, Prince Obaigbena and I first met as customer and banker. He told me that anyone fortunate enough to manage his account would one day become a managing director of a bank, and I am thankful that God fulfilled that vision. It is an incredible honour to stand with such esteemed colleagues.”

The star-studded event, which brought together dignitaries from both the private and public sectors, celebrated excellence, innovation, and leadership across industries and the political landscape.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is proud to be the headline sponsor of the 2025 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament August24news.com has learnt.

Caption:L-R : Mohammed Sani Dangote ,Captain, Lagos Polo Club;Unoaku Sheidu,Corporate Communication, GTCO PLC ; Olugbile Holloway ,Secretary Lagos Polo Club; Derin Alex-Adedipe ,Corporate Communication, GTCO PLC ; Adeyemi Alakija ,Secretary General Nigeria Polo Association; Mayowa Ogunusi,Tournament Manager ,Lagos Polo Club, at the media briefing on the 2025 edition of GTCO/Lagos International Polo Tournament ,which was held at the Lagos Polo Club today Tuesday, 2025.

Our Business Editor, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim gathered that the highly-anticipated Polo Series will be held at the prestigious Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, from 4th to 23rd February 2025.

A staple in Nigeria’s sporting and social calendar, the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament is celebrated for its rich heritage, thrilling competitions, and vibrant atmosphere.

Last year’s tournament delivered a thrilling six chukkas encounter that saw Leighton Kings dispatch a hard-fighting Art Hotel Shoreline team to retain the coveted Majekodunmi Cup.

The 2025 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament is set to be even more spectacular, featuring top-tier teams vying for the Open Cup and the Majekodunmi Cup in a series of high-goal and low-goal matches to be played over 18 days.

The Silver Cup will run across all three weeks while the Low Cup takes center stage in the third week, ensuring an engaging and dynamic experience for players and spectators alike throughout.

Commenting on GTCO’s role as main sponsor of the Lagos International Polo Tournament, Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “At GTCO, we are passionate about fostering excellence and creating platforms that bring people together through shared passions.

The NPA Lagos international Polo Tournament embodies the spirit of teamwork, discipline, and fair play—values that resonate deeply with our brand.

We remain committed to driving positive change by supporting local initiatives with global impact that foster community development and social progress, ensuring that the benefits of the tournament extend well beyond the sport itself.”

GTCO has a longstanding tradition of supporting impact-driven sporting events as part of its broader commitment to community development.

The Group’s long-running sponsorship of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament reinforces its commitment to celebrating Africa’s rich sporting heritage and promoting inclusivity through world-class events.

ZENITH BANK ENHANCES STAFF PAY BY OVER 20% AND PROMOTES ABOVE 4,000

One of Africa’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to employee welfare by announcing the promotion of over 4,000 staff members and implementing salary increases ranging from 20% to 30% across various employee grades. 

This bold initiative, under the leadership of Managing Director/CEO Dame Adaora Umeoji, its aimed at boosting staff morale and productivity.

With over 8,000 employees, this significant investment in human capital reflects Zenith Bank’s belief that its workforce is its most valuable asset. The salary adjustments, effective January 1, 2025, aim to reward performance, alleviate financial pressures, and ensure enhanced customer service delivery. Promotions for top management are also expected as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth.

Dr. Umeoji emphasized the importance of maintaining a motivated workforce, stating that the bank’s dedication to its employees will translate into superior service experiences for customers. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to setting industry benchmarks through innovative solutions and exceptional service delivery.

Zenith Bank’s continued leadership in the Nigerian financial sector is underscored by numerous awards, including Best Bank in Nigeria 2024 by Global Finance and recognition as the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in 2024 by The Banker. These accolades complement its reputation for innovation, sustainability, and corporate governance.

By prioritizing employee welfare during challenging times, Zenith Bank not only strengthens its internal operations but also sets a standard for other financial institutions in the region, reinforcing its position as a leader in Africa’s banking landscape.

As a major player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, under its managing director/chief executive officer, Adaora Umeoji, the bank has embraced a holistic approach to growth that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with its core business objectives.

At the heart of Zenith Bank’s strategy is a focus on buoying economic inclusion, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and driving technological innovation to enhance customer experiences. The bank’s proactive investments in renewable energy, sports, digital transformation and impactful community initiatives exemplify its dedication to creating long-term value for its stakeholders while addressing global sustainability challenges.

Zenith Bank’s continued success is driven by a combination of strong financial performance and an unwavering commitment to its stakeholders.

Zenith Bank’s growth trajectory is underpinned by a robust expansion strategy. With operations in several countries, including the UK, UAE, China, and most recently, France, the bank continues to expand its geographical footprint.

As usual, the bank’s efforts in 2024 did not unnoticed as the lender clinched several local and international awards in recognition of its outstanding performance.

In 2024, the bank won the Best Bank in Nigeria at the annual Global Finance award in Washington, DC, NY.

The bank also emerged the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, 2024 by The Banker; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2024 – International Banker; Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Retail Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Bank of the Year 2024- The Banker.

It also clinched the Most Responsible Organization in Africa 2024 – SERAS; Best in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment 2024 – SERAS and Best in Transparency & Reporting 2024 – SERAS