By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s BUSINESS community are grieving the loss of Chief Pascal Gabriel Dozie, the renowned entrepreneur and banker who passed away at the age of 85.
The founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer chairman of MTN Nigeria, Chief Dozie’s death on 8th April 2025 marks the end of an era for two of Nigeria’s most transformative sectors—banking and telecommunications.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the Dozie family and all Nigerians, praising Chief Dozie as a visionary whose contributions reshaped Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Tinubu acknowledged the elder statesman’s profound influence on both the private and public sectors, noting that his pioneering work in banking and telecommunications set the stage for widespread national development.
As founder of Diamond Bank, which became one of Nigeria’s most respected financial institutions, and as a leading force behind MTN Nigeria’s success, Chief Dozie’s legacy is embedded in the very fabric of Nigeria’s financial and digital infrastructure.
His leadership extended far beyond business, as he also served as a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
In his tribute, President Tinubu highlighted Dozie’s commitment to integrity, innovation, and nation-building, urging the private sector to honour his memory by continuing to uphold the values he championed.
The Dozie family, in a statement issued by his son, Uzoma, confirmed the passing of the business icon.
“With deep sorrow, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Pascal Gabriel Dozie,” the statement read. The family expressed their thanks for his enduring legacy and devotion to his faith, family, and country.
Born in 1939 in Egbu, Imo State, Chief Dozie’s early education laid the foundation for his extraordinary career.
After studying at the London School of Economics and City University in London, he returned to Nigeria, where he became a driving force behind the growth of the banking and telecom industries.
Dozie’s humility, integrity, and vision earned him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, among numerous other accolades.
Chief Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and their five children, who, along with his many colleagues and friends, will continue to celebrate his remarkable life.
