Born on August 22, 1966, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe hailed from Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He was married to Chizoba Wigwe (nee Nwuba) and had four children: Chizi, Tochi, Hannah and David.

Wigwe had a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the University of Nigeria in 1987. In 1990, he received the British Council Scholarship to study at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor), earning a Master of Arts in banking and finance in 1991.

As a banker in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), he worked with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede to buy Access Bank, which used to hold the 65th position amongst the list of 89 banks in the country.

Working with Aig-Imoukhuede, who became the MD of the bank, they grew the bank to a top tier bank.

He served as the Chairman of the Committee of Bank CEOs.

In recognition of “his exemplary role in the society and contributions to youth development”, the Boys’ Brigade (BB), inaugurated Herbert Wigwe, as State Patron for Lagos State Council in 2016.

In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on him a national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Wigwe died on Friday, February 9, 2024 following an helicopter crash in the United States of America.