Herbert Wigwe’s Parents: Meet Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and Stella Wigwe

Herbert Wigwe, the late visionary banker and former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s financial sector.

A transformative leader, Wigwe played a pivotal role in shaping modern banking in the country. Before his untimely passing in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, his remarkable journey—from humble beginnings to corporate prominence—inspired many.

Born on August 15, 1966, in Lagos, Nigeria, Herbert’s roots are traced back to Isiokpo, a town in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, he was exposed to diverse opportunities and challenges that helped shape his ambitious spirit.

Herbert was of Ikwerre descent, an ethnic group predominantly found in Rivers State. While the Ikwerre people are part of the larger Igbo-speaking cluster, they maintain a distinct cultural identity. This heritage deeply influenced Wigwe, fostering a strong sense of community and responsibility, which was later reflected in his philanthropic efforts.

A devout Christian, Herbert’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. Raised in a religious household, his parents were active members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). This spiritual foundation shaped his values, personal life, and charitable work, particularly through The HOW Foundation, which he founded to support education and health initiatives.

Herbert was born to Pastor Shyngle Wigwe and Stella Wigwe, a couple whose unwavering influence shaped his character and aspirations. His father, born on October 8, 1934, in Isiokpo, was a seasoned broadcast engineer and former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Educated at Yaba Technical Institute and further trained at the BBC in England, Shyngle later became a pastor with RCCG. His mother, Stella, was the quiet yet steadfast matriarch who held the family together through decades of triumphs and challenges. Married for over 60 years, Shyngle and Stella instilled in Herbert the values of discipline, education, and service—principles that guided his extraordinary career.

Behind his success stood these two pillars of strength: his parents, whose faith, resilience, and love not only shaped their family but also influenced their son’s remarkable legacy.

Pastor Shyngle Wigwe

Born on October 8, 1934, in Isiokpo, Rivers State, Shyngle Wigwe grew up in a modest household as the son of Augustus Wigwe, a police officer, and Watuze Wigwe. His early education took him to Okrika Grammar School (1949–1953), after which he pursued technical training in engineering at Yaba Technical Institute (now Yaba College of Technology) between 1957 and 1959.

His professional journey began in 1954 with the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and in 1959, he traveled to England for a BBC training course supported by a federal scholarship.

Shyngle’s career was both diverse and impactful. A skilled broadcast engineer, he steadily climbed the ranks to become the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), previously serving as General Manager of NTA Port Harcourt.

Reflecting on his time at NTA, he once remarked, “NTA was a delight to work in; that was the first choice of every school leaver—to work in broadcasting. We worked as a team and produced unique programmes… focused on national development.” Beyond broadcasting, he also contributed to education as a senior lecturer at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s engineering training school in Lagos. Additionally, during the Nigerian Civil War, he fought on the Biafran side, retiring as a captain in 1970.

A devout Christian, Shyngle’s spiritual journey took a profound turn when he became a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He credited his wife, Stella, for guiding him to this faith, which became the bedrock of his life.

His resilience was tested through immense personal losses, including the deaths of two sons—Osita Wigwe in 1997 and Herbert in 2024. Yet, his faith remained steadfast. In a moving reflection after Herbert’s passing, he said, “I am happy for the gift God gave me in the person of Herbert for 57 years. He gave me so much joy.”

Stella Wigwe

We can’t downplay Stella Wigwe, Herbert Wigwe‘s mother; her impact on her family is undeniable. Married to Shyngle for over six decades, their enduring love story began in the early 1960s and withstood immense challenges, including losing children and raising a family through Nigeria’s turbulent years.

In a 2018 interview, as they marked 56 years of marriage, the couple expressed their shared hope that their children would outlive them—a universal parental longing that underscored their deep familial bond.

Stella’s quiet strength balanced Shyngle’s public persona. As a devoted wife and mother, she was crucial in nurturing Herbert and his siblings—Joyce Wigwe, Peggy Wigwe, Stella Wigwe (her namesake), and Emeka Wigwe.

Her unwavering faith, which ultimately led Shyngle to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), became a guiding force for the family. After the tragic helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba Wigwe, and their son Chizi Wigwe, Stella’s resilience remained evident as she stood beside her husband, mourning yet supported by their enduring partnership.

The Wigwes’ journey has been marked by both triumph and profound sorrow. The loss of their first son, Osita, in a 1997 road accident at age 34 left an indelible scar. Shyngle recalled, “I never sweated like that in my life before… For quite some time, I didn’t feel life was worth living anymore.” Yet, he and Stella found solace in their faith and each other.

The devastating loss of Herbert, Chizoba, and Chizi in 2024 compounded their grief, thrusting them into the public eye as they navigated an unimaginable tragedy in their late 80s and early 90s.

Herbert’s rise as a titan in Nigeria’s banking sector was a source of immense pride for his parents. Under his leadership, Access Bank evolved into a global financial powerhouse, while his philanthropic work through The HOW Foundation touched countless lives. His achievements reflected the values instilled in him by Shyngle and Stella—integrity, faith, and dedication.

Following Herbert’s passing, rumors surfaced regarding disputes over his multi-billion-naira estate. Reports in October 2024 alleged that Shyngle sought 20% of Herbert’s wealth, contradicting the banker’s will, which designated his children as beneficiaries.

The family swiftly refuted these claims in a statement signed by Emeka Wigwe: “At no point has Pastor Shyngle Wigwe requested 20 per cent of the estate… The article’s claim is entirely false and misleading.” Emphasizing their unity and focus on healing, they urged the public to honor Herbert’s legacy rather than fuel speculation.

More recently, social media posts in February 2025 suggested that Shyngle, now 90, had taken legal action against his granddaughter, Otutochi Channel Wigwe, also known as Tochi Wigwe, over inheritance properties.

While these claims remain unverified, they underscore the continued scrutiny surrounding the family. Through it all, Shyngle and Stella have maintained their dignity, relying on their faith and the unwavering support of loved ones.