Engineer Shyngle Wigwe, the nonagenarian father of the late Access Holdings CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, has categorically denied reports suggesting that he is involved in a family dispute with his grandchildren over the inheritance left behind by his late son.
Following the tragic helicopter crash in the United States in February 2024, which claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and their eldest son Chizzy, speculation has swirled around the fate of the family’s vast estate. Several media outlets recently reported alleged disagreements between the patriarch and Herbert’s surviving children regarding control of his assets and the direction of his business legacy.
However, in a recent interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Engineer Wigwe firmly refuted these claims, describing them as “baseless fabrications intended to sow discord within the family.”
“How could I possibly want Herbert’s properties?” he said with calm conviction. “Who better to protect his legacy than his own father? At my age, what would I do with his wealth? I raised Herbert without any outside financial support. His mother is still here. Our concern is peace, unity, and keeping Herbert’s memory alive.”
The elder Wigwe, who has remained largely out of the public eye since the tragedy, spoke with clarity and dignity, dismissing any notion of greed or family strife. He explained that his focus now is not material wealth but the preservation of his son’s values and vision — particularly the spirit of excellence, philanthropy, and nation-building that Herbert embodied throughout his lifetime.
“Herbert lived a life of impact. He built not just businesses but people — countless young professionals and leaders. That is the true inheritance he left behind, and that is what we must all strive to preserve,” he added.
Close family associates have corroborated the elder Wigwe’s statement, affirming that there has been no internal conflict among Herbert’s surviving relatives. Rather, the family has been united in ensuring the completion of his philanthropic projects, including Wigwe University in Isiokpo, Rivers State — a testament to Herbert’s lifelong commitment to education and human capital development.
Engineer Wigwe’s remarks appear to have settled weeks of public speculation, refocusing attention on the enduring legacy of one of Nigeria’s most visionary corporate leaders.
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