…change target stronger African subsidiaries, improved profitability and accelerated digital transformation
By Gloria Ikibah 
Access Bank Plc has appointed Oluseyi Kumapayi as Deputy Managing Director, African Subsidiaries, and Olanrewaju Bamisebi as Executive Director, Information Technology and Digitalisation.
The appointments, which have received the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), took effect on October 27 and 28, 2026, respectively.
Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of the bank, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, notifying the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public of the management changes.
Kumapayi, who previously served as Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Managing Director, while Bamisebi joins the board of Access Bank from Access Holdings, where he held the position of Executive Director, Information Technology and Digitalisation.
The appointments are part of the group’s strategy to shift its focus from expansion to improved profitability, capital efficiency, operational performance and sustainable returns to shareholders.
Kumapayi, who has over 25 years of banking experience, joined Access Bank in 2002 and served as Group Chief Financial Officer between 2007 and 2020.
During his tenure, he played a key role in strengthening the bank’s financial management and supporting its strategic development.
He has been overseeing the bank’s African operations since November 2020 and will retain responsibility for the subsidiaries in his new role, with an expanded mandate to improve profitability, capital productivity, operational efficiency and cross-border business integration.
He will also support the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in the broader leadership and strategic management of the bank.
Kumapayi is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and holds an Executive MBA from IMD, Lausanne, as well as an Executive Master’s degree in Digital Transformation and Innovation Leadership from IE University, Madrid.
He also holds degrees from the Universities of Lagos and Ibadan and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s General Management Programme.
Bamisebi, on his part, brings more than 20 years of experience in technology transformation, digital banking, enterprise systems and operational management.
Before his appointment, he was responsible for Access Holdings’ technology strategy and shared technology services, including digital banking infrastructure, enterprise platforms, data management and technology resilience.
He previously held senior positions at Equity Group Holdings Limited, including Group Director, Information Technology and Operations, and Managing Director of Finserve Africa.
He also served as Group Chief Information Officer at Diamond Bank, alongside other technology leadership roles in the Nigerian financial services sector.
In his new position, Bamisebi will lead Access Bank’s technology and digitalisation strategy, focusing on improving operational efficiency, modernising technology platforms, strengthening cybersecurity and accelerating the deployment of digital solutions to improve customer experience.
Commenting on the appointments, Group Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the changes were designed to translate the group’s extensive African banking presence into stronger financial performance and better returns for shareholders.
“Access Holdings has built a substantial banking franchise across Africa and beyond. Our strategic priority is now to translate that scale into superior performance, greater efficiency, stronger returns on capital and sustainable value for shareholders.
“These appointments reflect that priority. Mr. Kumapayi’s elevation reinforces our determination to improve the performance and contribution of our African subsidiaries, while Mr. Bamisebi’s appointment reflects a deliberate decision to bring executive technology leadership closer to the Bank’s operations, customers and commercial priorities.
“We believe that clearer accountability, stronger execution and disciplined investment in technology will be critical to the next phase of our development. Both executives bring the experience and leadership required to advance these objectives,” he said.
Also commenting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the bank was focused on becoming more productive, efficient and profitable through better utilisation of its capital, technology and existing market presence.
“Our focus is on building a more productive, efficient and profitable banking institution, making better use of our capital, technology and established market presence.
“Across our African subsidiaries, the emphasis will be on improving returns, strengthening execution and capturing greater value from our existing franchise. In technology, our priority is to simplify platforms, improve reliability, accelerate innovation and deliver better outcomes for our customers at a lower cost to serve.
“By integrating executive technology leadership more directly into the Bank’s management structure, we are strengthening the connection between technology investment and business performance. I look forward to working with both executives as we deliver on these priorities,” Ogbonna said.
The group said relocating executive responsibility for Information Technology and Digitalisation from the holding company to the bank was a deliberate move to ensure that technology investment was more closely aligned with banking operations, customer service, revenue generation and cost management.
The board of Access Holdings congratulated both executives on their appointments and wished them success in their new responsibilities.
