Nigerian banking CEO is among six people killed when helicopter traveling from California to Nevada crashes into Mohave Desert

A Nigerian banking CEO on his way to the Superbowl was among six people killed in a horror helicopter crash in the Mohave Desert. 

Dr Herbert Wigwe, 57, the co-founder of Nigeria‘s largest bank Access Bank, perished along with his wife, son and three others in the California desert on Friday night. 

The helicopter went down around 60 miles from Las Vegas, with Wigwe reportedly on his way to Sin City to attend Superbowl LVIII, according to Semafor.  

The former chair of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjoa, was also among those who died when the Eurocopter EC 130 crashed while en route to Boulder City, Nevada. 

Investigators were seen scouring the crash site early Saturday morning, before confirming that ‘no survivors have been located.’ 

Dr Herbert Wigwe, 57, the co-founder of Nigeria ‘s largest bank Access Bank, died Friday night in a horror helicopter crash over the Mojave Desert 

The banking CEO and leading figure in Nigerian economic issues perished along with his wife (pictured together), son and three others 

The former chair of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjoa, was also among those who died in the tragedy 

The cause of the tragedy has not yet been determined by officials, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department saying the crash site was near Nipton on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve.

Tributes poured in for Wigwe after news of his death was announced, with the finance executive seen as a leading figure spearheading in the expansion of the Nigerian economy. 

In his work at Access Bank, he led an initiative to grow its influence across the continent, taking majority stakes or acquiring control over banks in nations including Kenya, South Africa and Botswana. 

After his bank became the largest in Nigeria by assets in 2019, Wigwe told Semafor that the firm was finalizing efforts to launch its first full banking service in Asia in the first quarter of 2024. 

He was also known for his influence in education, setting up his own college – Wigwe University – that was set to hold its first classes later this year. 

Wigwe University was reported to have cost $500 million and planned to enroll 10,000 students over the next five years. 

The university was part of his drive to improve Africa’s economy, as he wrote in an op-ed for Semafor just one month before his death that investing in higher education was crucial to expanding opportunities. 

He added that improving education was key to controlling mass-migration and mitigating fears over how it destabilizes society, writing how the issue has taken a step back – including how ‘Donald Trump’s Republicans continue to whip up fears around border security.’ 

Tributes poured in for Wigwe, who spearheaded efforts to expand the Nigerian economy – including by launching his own university that was set to begin classes this year 

The helicopter crash was the second in California in a matter of days, after a Navy helicopter carrying five marines crashed in the southern California mountains during a storm on Tuesday night.

The five men have been identified as: Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas; Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona; Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho; Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire; and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan.

Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd MAW, said: ‘It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the “Flying Tigers” while conducting a training flight.

‘These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so.

‘We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service. To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time.’

The young men were all assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar

Several agencies launched a desperate search early on Wednesday after the chopper was reported missing.

Efforts to recover the remains of the five have begun and an investigation into the crash is underway, according to the statement.

The helicopter took off from Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday night and was heading to the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar when it went missing.

The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was last reported in the Cleveland National Forest, near the Us-Mexico border and about 35 miles east of its destination.

The area is currently covered in snow, making the search more difficult, officials said.