Renowned banker and founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Chief Pascal Dozie, has passed away. He died on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, just one day before his 86th birthday.
Born on April 9, 1939, in Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, Chief Dozie was a towering figure in Nigeria’s financial landscape. He established Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank, and also served as the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria.
In a condolence message, President Bola Tinubu mourned the passing of the elder statesman, describing him as a visionary entrepreneur and a pillar of Nigeria’s private sector growth.
“Chief Dozie was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in our national development—banking and telecommunications,” presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said in a statement.
The president praised Dozie’s enduring contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture, noting that his leadership, humility, and innovation continue to inspire generations of business leaders.
“His legacy is a testament to what is possible through integrity, foresight, and commitment to nation-building,” Tinubu said, while extending his condolences to Dozie’s wife, children, and extended family.
Calling on Nigeria’s private sector to honour the late business icon by upholding his values, President Tinubu highlighted Dozie’s role not just in corporate Nigeria, but also in public service.
Beyond his business ventures, Chief Dozie served as a director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. His efforts spanned decades of policy development, youth empowerment, and economic reform.
He is remembered as a true titan of industry, a patriot, and a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s immense potential.