Access Holdings has dismissed as false reports claiming that its subsidiary, Access Bank, is shutting down operations, reaffirming that the bank remains fully operational and financially sound.
The company issued the clarification in a statement to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), shareholders, investors and the general public after the misleading publication gained widespread attention on social media.
According to Access Holdings, neither the holding company nor Access Bank issued or authorised the publication, describing the report as entirely fabricated.
The financial services group assured customers that Access Bank's operations remain uninterrupted, with no disruption to banking services or any change in its financial position. It urged customers and the public to ignore unverified claims circulating online and continue banking as usual.
Access Holdings said it has reported the incident to relevant regulatory agencies, security authorities and law enforcement bodies for investigation.
The company disclosed that efforts are already underway to identify those responsible for creating and distributing the false report, adding that appropriate legal action would be taken against anyone found to have deliberately spread the misinformation.
By referring the matter to the authorities, Access Holdings underscored the seriousness of the incident, warning that false claims capable of eroding confidence in the banking sector pose a significant threat to Nigeria's financial system.
False reports involving financial institutions can spread rapidly and trigger unnecessary public anxiety.
Claims suggesting that a bank has ceased operations or is experiencing financial difficulties may prompt customers to withdraw funds based on misinformation. Such reactions can disrupt normal banking activities, undermine public confidence and create avoidable uncertainty across the financial sector.
As one of Nigeria's largest banking groups, with operations across Africa and international markets, Access Bank serves millions of retail and corporate customers. Misinformation involving an institution of its scale has the potential to affect customers, investors, business partners and the broader financial ecosystem.
For this reason, regulators typically regard false claims capable of causing panic within the banking industry as serious offences.
Access Holdings advised customers, shareholders and the public to disregard the circulating publication and rely only on information released through its official communication channels, Access Bank's verified platforms and disclosures made via the Nigerian Exchange.
The company reiterated that its operations remain stable and encouraged customers to continue using its banking services without concern.
The incident also highlights the growing challenge of digital misinformation, where false reports can spread rapidly across social media before verified information becomes available.
As financial institutions continue to strengthen cybersecurity and digital communications, experts say the public also has a responsibility to verify sensitive information through credible sources before sharing it online.
With investigations now underway, Access Holdings said it remains committed to protecting customers, safeguarding confidence in its operations and ensuring that those responsible for the false shutdown claims are held accountable under the law.
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