Access Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, has introduced two new consumer credit cards: the Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the Metal Platinum Card. These cards mark the first issuance of American Express cards in Nigeria and West Africa, the companies announced in a press statement.

The launch of these cards enhances Access Bank’s offerings to its retail and private banking customers, who can now enjoy the Membership Rewards loyalty program and a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits.

In 2019, Access Bank signed an agreement with American Express to enable businesses across Nigeria to accept payments from international American Express Cards. Now, the bank is ready to issue the first American Express credit cards in West Africa.

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank noted that the launch of American Express Cards in Nigeria is a milestone in the growth of the payments industry. He added that customers seek more than just transactions; they desire real value.

“The launch of American Express Cards in Nigeria is another milestone in the continued development of a vibrant and fast-growing payments industry. Customers want more than transactions – they want real value,” he said.
“With American Express, we can provide valuable card benefits, strong loyalty rewards, and a real reason to use electronic payments instead of cash. By diversifying our services to facilitate payments, we can connect more consumers to the SMEs and retail businesses across the country who we know are the engine of economic growth.”

The Gold and Platinum Cards feature the renowned American Express card design, including the iconic ‘Centurion’ icon.

Similar products are issued outside Nigeria by American Express or its licensed third parties, providing card members with extensive rewards and benefits. Access Bank now brings this credit card experience to Nigeria.

Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Holdings, mentioned that the cards will be available upon request and invitation, and interested customers will begin using them from Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Chizoma Okoli, Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, expressed pride in Access Bank’s leadership role in the country and highlighted the bank’s commitment to innovation.

“We are always at the forefront in the banking sector here in Nigeria and this is our newest innovation as we lead others. You can see these AMEX cards anywhere in Nigeria except here at Access. I know our customers who are going to reap the benefits will be proud of us”.

Victor Etiokwu, Deputy Managing Director, Retail North, emphasized the importance of providing a variety of payment options and expressed the bank’s delight in collaborating with American Express.

“In the payment world, it is important to have varieties and as a financial sector supermarket, we have varieties of lovely items for the benefit of our customers. AMEX is a unique brand and we have always wanted to have them on our portfolio and we are glad this has become a reality. We will continue to collaborate with AMEX,” he said.

Mohammed Badi, President, Global Network Services at American Express, stated that the partnership with Access Bank further strengthens American Express’ presence in Africa. The Access Bank American Express Gold Card and Metal Platinum Card offer special benefits, access, and service to card members both in and outside Nigeria.

“By granting Access Bank a license to launch the first-ever American Express Cards in Nigeria, American Express’ presence in Africa is becoming even more vibrant. The Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the metal Platinum Card enhance the credit card experience in Nigeria with special benefits, access, and service – for Cardmembers both in Nigeria and when traveling overseas,” he said.

The American Express cards, in addition to dual-currency functionality (NGN/USD) and international acceptance, provide features such as airport lounge access, car rental perks, membership rewards, loyalty points, insurance, and protections.

The Platinum Card offers expanded airport lounge benefits, including access to over 1,400 lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. It also provides hotel perks and upgrades through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts, as well as special status access in Hilton Honours, Radisson Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy rewards programs. Cardmembers can enjoy complimentary access to hotel membership programs, Tablet Plus membership, Mr & Mrs. Smith Gold status, and 24/7 travel and lifestyle concierge services.

At the launch event, Briana Wisley, Vice President and General Manager, Network Partnerships EMEA, American Express expressed excitement about the partnership with Access Bank, highlighting the bank’s expertise and innovations in the payment space. She emphasized American Express’ commitment to providing products, insights, and experiences that improve lives and drive business growth.

Access Bank customers can now enjoy the benefits of American Express cards, as the partnership expands access to millions of merchants globally. American Express, with its extensive global network, aims to continue expanding its scale and relevance worldwide.

The number of places you can use your AMEX cards globally has more than tripled since 2017, she said.

The launch of the Amex cards is expected to ease the bottlenecks encountered in carrying out international transactions using bank-issued debit cards, owing to Nigeria’s forex crisis.

The setting up of Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly has passed the most crucial stage with both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and their deputies elected on Tuesday.

Senator Godswill Akpabio emerged as the Senate President of the 10th Senate, defeating Abdul’aziz Yari. Senator Barau Jibrin was elected unopposed as the Deputy Senate President. Akpabio secured 63 votes, while Yari received 45 votes, with one Senator-elect abstaining from voting.

Following Senator Ali Ndume’s citation of Akpabio and nomination for Senate President, and Senator Solomon Adeola’s seconding of the nomination, Senator Elisha Abbo read the citation of Abdul’aziz Yari and nominated him for the same position. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim seconded Yari’s nomination.

After no further nominations were made, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal, called for additional nominations. With no further nominations, Tambuwal declared the nominations closed and initiated a division to allow the Senators-elect to cast their votes.

After the votes were counted, it became clear that Akpabio had emerged as the winner, leading to jubilation among his supporters. Tambuwal officially declared the results, announcing Akpabio’s victory with 63 votes, while Yari received 45 votes, and one Senator-elect abstained from voting. Akpabio was then led to take the chair as the Senate President. He took his oath of office and allegiance, signed the oaths, and used the gavel for the first time.

The Clerk subsequently called for nominations for the position of Deputy Senate President. Senator Dave Umahi presented Senator Barau Jibrin’s citation and moved for his appointment as the Deputy Senate President, which was seconded by Senator Saliu Mustapha. As no other nominations were made, Tambuwal declared Jibrin duly elected as the Deputy Senate President without opposition.

There was a brief moment of disagreement when Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno opposed Yari’s nomination, citing Order three rule three. However, the Clerk overruled him and upheld Yari’s nomination.

Governors Hope Uzodinma, Dapo Abiodun, former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and other dignitaries were present in the Red Chamber to witness the voting and celebrate with Akpabio after his victory.

Following Jibrin’s swearing-in as the Deputy Senate President, Akpabio presided over the swearing-in of all other Senators, conducted by the Clerk to the National Assembly. Akpabio then delivered his inaugural speech and adjourned the plenary until the next day at 10 am.

The lower chamber of the National Assembly also witnessed the election of principal officers.

Tajudeen Abbas, the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured the highest number of votes and emerged as the Speaker. Out of the 360 members-elect, 359 participated in the process.

The race had three contestants, and the winner was expected to secure a simple majority. Tajudeen Abbas, representing Kaduna State, was the APC candidate backed by the presidency. The other contenders were Ahmed Idris Wase and Aminu Sani Jaji, who are also members of the APC.

A significant majority of the members-elect openly declared their support for Abbas. As of now, Abbas is on the verge of defeating his opponents, with outgoing Deputy Speaker Ahmed Wase and Sani Jaji receiving one and two votes, respectively.

Earlier, aspirants Muktar Betara, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, Miriam Onuoha, and Sada Soli withdrew from the Speakership race in favor of the APC’s consensus candidate.

The inauguration is taking place in improvised meeting rooms that were used as the Chamber by the previous 9th House due to the ongoing renovation of the National Assembly complex.