‘A rare breed’ – Tinubu calls Pascal Dozie’s death a profound loss to private sector
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pascal Dozie, the esteemed founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a towering figure in Nigeria’s private sector. Dozie died on April 8, just a day before his 86th birthday, according to a statement released by his family.
In a heartfelt tribute delivered through his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dozie as a visionary whose life’s work helped shape modern Nigeria’s economic landscape.
“Chief Dozie was a rare breed—an architect of prosperity and a relentless believer in Nigeria’s potential,” the president stated. “His passing is a profound loss, not only to the private sector but to the entire nation.”
Dozie was widely celebrated as a pioneer in both the banking and telecommunications industries. As the founder of Diamond Bank and the first chairman of MTN Nigeria, he played a defining role in expanding financial access and mobile connectivity across the country.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Dozie held several influential public roles. He 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 career was marked by a consistent dedication to national policy development, economic reform, and youth empowerment.
President Tinubu commended Dozie’s “wisdom, humility, and pioneering spirit,” calling on today’s business leaders to honour his legacy by upholding the values he championed—integrity, innovation, and nation-building.
The president also extended his condolences to Dozie’s wife, children, and extended family, offering prayers for his peaceful repose.
