Herbert Wigwe Reportedly Owns 106 Properties in London, Emerges 7th on List of Homeowners
New findings have revealed that the late Herbert Wigwe, former group chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc, is linked to the ownership of 106 properties in London, United Kingdom. This places him seventh on a recently published list of billionaire homeowners in the city, according to an investigation by The Londoner.
New UK Law Uncovers Overseas Property Ownership
The report, titled "Revealed: The billionaires who really own London," was made possible by a recent change in United Kingdom law that requires foreign companies to disclose their beneficial owners. This transparency initiative uncovered 32,611 properties in London owned by overseas entities, with researchers linking previously hidden owners to prime real estate across major commercial and residential locations including Oxford Street, Canary Wharf, and Greenwich Peninsula.
Many of these high-value properties are owned through offshore companies registered in jurisdictions such as Jersey, where ownership details were previously less transparent. The investigation came to light on Friday, March 27, 2026, providing unprecedented insight into foreign investment in London's real estate market.
Wigwe's Property Holdings Amid Family Legal Disputes
The revelation about Wigwe's London property portfolio comes amidst ongoing family legal disputes over his estate following his tragic death in a helicopter crash in February 2024. The late banker died alongside his wife, son, and former Nigerian Exchange Group chairman Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Since his passing, members of Wigwe's family have reportedly been involved in legal battles concerning his estate. In February 2025, The Punch reported that Shyngle Wigwe, father of the late banker, and Christian Wigwe, his cousin, filed an appeal to challenge a ruling by the Lagos state high court in the dispute over Wigwe's estate.
Foreign Investors Dominate London Property Market
The findings highlight the significant scale of foreign investment in London's real estate market, with numerous wealthy individuals and entities holding substantial property portfolios through overseas firms. Wigwe's 106 properties place him seventh on the billionaire homeowners list, behind:
- John Corless
- Sarah Bard
- Simon Reuben
- Alexander Bard
- Rit Thirakomen
- Wolfgang Peter Egger
Under Wigwe's leadership, Access Holdings pursued aggressive expansion across Africa and beyond, helping the corporation become the ninth-largest bank in Africa before Nigeria devalued its currency in 2023. His business acumen and strategic vision contributed significantly to the growth of the financial institution during his tenure.
Wigwe's Legacy Beyond Banking
Beyond his banking career and property investments, Wigwe's legacy includes educational initiatives. Wigwe University, located in Isiokpo, Rivers state, has been offering scholarships to JAMB candidates with high scores, continuing his commitment to educational development in Nigeria.
The investigation into London property ownership provides a rare glimpse into the substantial overseas investments made by Nigerian business leaders and highlights the global reach of their financial portfolios. As transparency laws continue to reveal previously hidden ownership structures, more details about international property holdings by wealthy individuals from various countries are likely to emerge.
