Following the legal completion of the merger on March 19, the newly launched Access Bank is now one entity, with 28,000 staff across 600 branches and 29 million customers worldwide, the bank said.

Present at the launch held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos was the Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi II; the founder of Dangote group, Aliko Dangote; the founder of Diamond PLC, Pascal Dozie, among others. Mr Dangote commended the unrelenting passion of Mr Wigwe and his co-pioneer, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, in creating the new entity.

“The real bank which is Access bank is a bank with no struggle today, they know how to wire anything and I won’t be surprised if they take over a bank outside Nigeria.”

Mr Wigwe said the dream of changing the face of banking in Nigeria and Africa started in 2002 with his partner, Mr Aig-Imoukhuede.

With Diamond Bank’s 19 million customers and Access Bank’s 10 million, Mr Wigwe said the merger would create a new institution which would be beyond banking, customers focused, digitally led and operate on a global space and scope.