Lagos, Nigeria – April 8, 2025 – Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has expressed profound sadness over the passing of Dr. Pascal Gabriel Dozie, a revered Nigerian banker, entrepreneur, and former Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Njenje Media News reports.
Dr. Dozie, who also founded the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc, passed away on Tuesday morning, April 8, 2025, at the age of 85, just a day before his 86th birthday.
In a heartfelt post on Peter Obi’s official X handle, Obi shared a photograph of himself seated alongside Dr. Dozie. Obi described him as a “true gentleman and a teacher who always sought the good of all.”
He wrote:
“I am deeply saddened this morning by the news of the passing of Dr. Pascal Dozie, a man I held in high esteem,” Obi wrote. “I met him during the formation of Diamond Bank and later MTN Nigeria, and throughout our collaboration, I came to know him as a visionary leader whose commitment to excellence inspired countless individuals and businesses.”
Dr. Pascal Dozie, born on April 9, 1939, in Owerri, Imo State, was a towering figure in Nigeria’s financial and telecommunications sectors. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Dozie founded Diamond Bank in 1991, which later merged with Access Bank in 2019. His contributions to the telecom industry were equally monumental, having served as a pioneer and former Chairman of MTN Nigeria, where he played a pivotal role in revolutionizing mobile connectivity across the country. Dozie’s influence extended beyond business; he was a former president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Chairman of Pan-Atlantic University, where he championed educational advancement. His contributions to national development earned him the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Obi’s tribute highlighted Dozie’s enduring legacy, noting that his “vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence” left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s economic landscape. “His legacy as a banker and entrepreneur stands as a testament to his vision and inspired countless individuals and businesses,” Obi added.
Obi extended prayers for Dozie’s eternal rest and strength for his family and loved ones. “May God Almighty, who called him home, grant him eternal rest in His kingdom, and grant his family and all of us who mourn him the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss,” he wrote, concluding with a blessing for Dozie’s family.
Dr. Dozie’s death marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s business community, but his legacy as a trailblazer in banking, telecom, and education will continue to inspire generations. As the nation mourns, tributes like Peter Obi’s serve as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on a country’s development.
Njenje Media also mourns the death of the business Icon.
