The alleged Access Bank of Nigeria on the closure of 340 branches across Nigeria and to sack a lot of workers has been addressed. 




On Saturday, the Managing Director of the bank, Herbert Wigwe allegedly to have announced the closure of over 300 branches nationwide via video conferencing in a town hall meeting with the staff.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians has been reacting to the news and claimed why the bank would donated money to Federal Government and planning to sack staff weeks later. Nigerian female music star, Yemi Alade queried Access Bank management on this.




Wigwe was quoted to have said his decision was in a move to reduce operating costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.




The MD was quoted as said that about 75% of the staff, most of whom are outsourced and are offering “non-essential services,” would be affected and the salary of the remaining staff will be reviewed and reduced.

While reacting to the allegations, the Access Bank's Head Media Relations, Abdul Imoyo, denied all the allegations, noting that the branches were closed at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown.




His full statement reads;

"This is not correct. Branches were closed at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown.

As the structure of the lockdown has been relaxed, the branches will be reopened in a phased approach, and with adherence to physical distancing guidelines.

“We advised the public when we closed over 540 branches (60 left to operate) in response to our business continuity plan for a crisis of this nature.

This was further buttressed by Lagos State and subsequently the FGN’s stay at home or work from home order.

“With the proposed lifting of that order from May 4th, we recognise that the threat of the virus is still out there and are planning to do a phased opening of the branches.

So yes an additional 200 branches (bringing the total to 260) would be opened in the first phase.

“The staff at the frontline are also people’s sons, daughters, wives, husbands e.t.c and we have to be very mindful how we expose them. So staff would also be rotated.

“We have however made arrangements to pair the branches so customers whose branches are yet to be opened can be served from an alternate branch and those messages are going out to customers over this weekend and by Monday.




Source: FINANCE NAIJA