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Chizoba Wigwe was the wife of Herbert Wigwe, the late CEO of Access Holdings Plc, who died in a tragic helicopter crash along with their son and four others on February 10, 2024. She was a devoted mother, a supportive partner, and a successful entrepreneur in her own right.

Biography

Chizoba Wigwe was born in 1978 (age: 45 years, as of 2023), in Lagos, Nigeria. She was the second child and only daughter of, a prominent businessman and politician, and a renowned educator and philanthropist. She had two brothers in her family.

Chizoba attended the prestigious Atlantic Hall School in Lagos, where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She was the head girl, the captain of the debate team, and the president of the drama club. She also won several awards and scholarships for her outstanding performance.

After graduating from high school, Chizoba enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she studied accounting. She graduated with a first-class degree in 1999, and proceeded to obtain a master’s degree in business administration from the same institution in 2001. She was also a chartered accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Chizoba Wigwe Wiki/Bio

Career and Business Ventures

Chizoba Wigwe began her career as an auditor at KPMG, one of the big four accounting firms in the world. She worked there for four years, gaining valuable experience and exposure in the financial sector. She then joined Access Bank Plc, a leading commercial bank in Nigeria, as a senior manager in 2005.

At Access Bank, Chizoba met Herbert Wigwe, who was then the deputy managing director of the bank. They fell in love and got married in 2006, after a whirlwind romance of four months. She decided to quit her job at the bank and focus on her family and personal projects.

Chizoba was not just a housewife, but a savvy entrepreneur who had a passion for fashion and beauty. She launched her own clothing line, Chizzy Couture, in 2008, which specialized in bespoke outfits for women of all sizes and shapes. She also opened a spa and salon, Chizzy’s Place, in 2010, which offered a range of services and products for hair, skin, and body care.

She was also involved in several charitable and social causes, especially those related to women and children empowerment. She was the founder and president of the Chizoba Wigwe Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provided scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training to underprivileged girls and young women. She was also a patron of the Save the Children Fund, a global movement that advocated for the rights and welfare of children.

Family and Personal Life

Chizoba and Herbert Wigwe had a blissful marriage that lasted for 18 years, until their untimely demise. They were blessed with four children: Chizi, Tochi, Hannah, and David. Chizi Wigwe, their eldest son, was 16 years old and a student at Harvard University. Tochi, their second son, was 14 years old and a student at Atlantic Hall School. Hannah, their daughter, was 12 years old and a student at Corona School. David, their youngest son, was 10 years old and a student at Greensprings School.

Chizoba Wigwe and Herbert Wigwe were a power couple who complemented each other in every aspect. They shared a common vision, values, and goals. They supported each other’s dreams and aspirations. They enjoyed spending quality time with each other and their children. They traveled the world, visited exotic places, and experienced different cultures. They were also devout Christians who attended the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Chizoba was a loving, caring, and generous woman who touched the lives of many people. She was a role model, a mentor, and a friend to many. She was admired for her beauty, intelligence, grace, and style. She was known for her warm smile, her cheerful personality, and her positive attitude. She was a woman of substance, who lived a life of purpose, passion, and impact.

Tribe

Chizoba Wigwe was of Igbo origin, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. She hailed from Anambra State, in the southeastern part of the country. She was proud of her heritage and culture, and often wore traditional attires and accessories. She also spoke fluent Igbo, and taught her children the language and customs of her people.

Net Worth

Height, Weight

• Height: 5’6″ (1.68 m) 
• Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs) 
• Eye color: Brown 
• Body measurements: 34-26-36 inches 

Helicopter Crash Claims the Lives of Nigerian Banking Magnate and Five Others

A tragic accident occurred on Friday night, when a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Mojave Desert, near the border of California and Nevada. Among the victims were Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Access Holdings Plc, the largest bank in Nigeria, his wife Chizoba Wigwe, his son David Wigwe, Chizi Wigwe and Abimola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group. The two pilots of the helicopter also died in the crash.

The helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters EC-130, had departed from Palm Springs Airport in California around 8:45 p.m., heading to Boulder City, Nevada, where the passengers were planning to attend the Super Bowl on Sunday. According to the authorities, the helicopter went down shortly after 10 p.m., south of Interstate 15, near Halloran Springs Road. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, but preliminary reports suggest that it was due to bad weather and mechanical failure. Witnesses reported that the helicopter caught fire after crashing.

The identities of the deceased were confirmed by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director general of the World Trade Organization and a former Nigerian finance minister, who posted a message of condolence on X, formerly known as Twitter. She wrote: “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe … his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

The death of Wigwe, 57, shocked and saddened many people in Nigeria and across the world, who knew him as a visionary leader, a humanitarian, and an entrepreneur. He had joined Access Bank in 2002, and became its CEO in 2014, transforming it into a global financial institution with operations in several African countries and beyond. He was also the founder of a private university in the Niger Delta region, where he came from, and the president of the Chizoba Wigwe Foundation, a non-governmental organization that supported the education and empowerment of girls and young women. He was a devout Christian and a family man, who loved his wife and four children.

His wife, Chizoba, 45, was also a successful businesswoman and a philanthropist, who owned a clothing line and a spa and salon. She was also a patron of the Save the Children Fund, a global movement that advocated for the rights and welfare of children. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, grace, and style.

Their son, David, 10, was the youngest of their four children, and a student at Greensprings School. He was described as a bright and cheerful boy, who enjoyed playing soccer and video games.

Ogunbanjo, 60, was a prominent lawyer and a former group chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group, the parent company of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He was also a board member of several companies and organizations, and a respected figure in the business community.

The two pilots of the helicopter were not identified, but they were praised for their professionalism and experience.

The news of the crash sparked an outpouring of grief and sympathy from various quarters, including the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who said in a statement: “Their passing is an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension. I extend my condolences to the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident.”

He also ordered the flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of the deceased, and declared a national day of mourning on Monday.

The funeral arrangements for the victims have not been announced yet, but they are expected to be held in a private ceremony, attended by their close relatives and associates. They will be remembered for their contributions and achievements in different fields, and for their lives of purpose, passion, and impact. They will be missed by many, and never forgotten.

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