On October 31, Access Holdings announced the appointment of Olanrewaju Bamisebi as Access Bank Executive Director, Information Technology and Digitalisation, effective October 28, 2026, following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Olanrewaju Bamisebi, who has spent more than two decades building and managing technology systems across banking, telecommunications and fintech, is bringing his wealth of experience directly into Access Bank’s executive leadership, at a time when banks are relying increasingly on digital platforms to serve customers, manage operations and compete.
Bamisebi takes on the role after serving as Executive Director, Information Technology and Digitalisation at Access Holdings, where he led the group’s technology strategy and shared technology services.
The Group also announced the appointment of Mr. Oluseyi Kumapayi as Deputy Managing Director, African Subsidiaries, of the bank.
Speaking about the appointments, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, Group Chairman, Access Holdings Plc, said that, having built a substantial banking franchise across Africa and beyond, the Group’s priority is to “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,” he said.
In his new role, Bamisebi will lead efforts to modernise technology platforms, improve reliability, strengthen cybersecurity and accelerate digital solutions that support customer experience and operational efficiency.
Also check: Meet Morounke Olufemi, Flutterwave’s appointed Global Chief Financial Officer
The journey behind Bamisebi’s technology career
Bamisebi’s path into technology began with a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science from The Polytechnic Ibadan, which he completed in 1998. A year later, he started his professional career as an intern at Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), before moving to Accounting Solutions as a senior consultant.
His early work in consulting gave him experience in technology and project management before he moved into telecommunications. In 2002, he joined MTN Nigeria, where he worked until 2004. He then moved to Starcomms, serving from 2005 to 2006.
Bamisebi’s career took a decisive turn towards financial services when he joined United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2006. He spent the next decade at the bank, building experience in technology leadership within a large financial institution operating across multiple African markets.
Alongside his professional growth, he continued his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2006, adding a business and financial perspective to his technology background. In 2014, he completed an MBA at Durham Business School in the United Kingdom, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Computing and Information Technology from the University of Derby in 2018.
In 2016, Bamisebi moved to Diamond Bank as Group Chief Information Officer, a position he held until 2019. There, he led technology at a time when Nigerian banks were expanding digital channels and investing in the systems needed to support electronic banking.
His next opportunity took him to Kenya. In April 2019, he joined Equity Group Holdings Limited as Group Director of Information Technology and Operations, taking on responsibilities that extended beyond technology infrastructure into operational management.
He later became Managing Director of Finserve Africa, the fintech arm of Equity Bank, serving from 2020 to 2022. The role brought him closer to the business side of financial technology, where digital platforms must support customer adoption, transaction activity and commercial growth.
Bamisebi returned to Access in August 2022, joining Access Holdings as Executive Director, Information Technology and Digitalisation. His responsibilities included the group’s technology strategy and shared services, covering digital banking infrastructure, enterprise platforms, data management and technology resilience.
During his time at the holding company, he brought experience managing IT operations across 22 African countries, spanning banking, telecommunications, consulting, oil and gas, and fintech. He also pursued further executive development, including the Cambridge Judge Business School Senior Management Programme, alongside professional certifications in technology governance, enterprise architecture and information security.
His academic and professional development also includes research towards a PhD in Global Strategy at United States International University–Africa in Kenya, according to Access Holdings’ published profile.
Also check: CBN Mandates Banks to Adopt Cybersecurity Assessment Tool to Curb Rising Risks
Bringing technology leadership closer to the bank
Bamisebi’s move to Access Bank follows his retirement from Access Holdings, effective September 30, 2026, after the expiration of his term contract. The holding company said the change aligned its board structure with the CBN’s corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies.
His appointment at Access Bank places executive responsibility for technology within the operating bank, where investments in digital platforms are directly connected to customer service, revenue generation, cost management and operational performance.
Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said the decision reflects a deliberate move to bring technology leadership closer to the bank’s operations, customers and commercial priorities.
Access Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Roosevelt Ogbonna said the bank would focus on simplifying technology platforms, improving reliability, accelerating innovation and delivering better customer outcomes at a lower cost to serve.
The role comes as Nigerian banks continue to increase spending on technology. In the first quarter of 2026, TechMedia Africa reported that GTCO, Zenith Bank, UBA and Access Bank spent a combined ₦119.03 billion on technology and software, reflecting the growing importance of digital services across the sector.
Cybersecurity and operational resilience will also be central to Bamisebi’s responsibilities. In the first half of 2025, Access Bank recorded ₦1.64 billion in cyber-fraud losses. Cyber threats are affecting financial institutions.
With experience spanning technology operations, digital banking infrastructure, fintech and group-level transformation, Bamisebi now leads Access Bank’s technology and digitalisation agenda. His challenge will be to ensure that the bank’s technology platforms remain secure and reliable while supporting innovation, efficiency and the needs of its customers.
