Nigerian Business Titan Pascal Dozie Dies Just a Day Before 86th Birthday

Nigerian business legend and founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, passed away at the age of 85 — just a day before turning 86.

His family confirmed the sad news in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that Dozie died on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Born on April 9, 1939, into a devout Catholic family, Pascal was raised by his father, Charles Dozie, a catechist, and began his early education at Our Lady’s School in Emekuku. He later attended Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he earned his senior school certificate.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he moved to the United Kingdom where he bagged a degree in Economics from the prestigious London School of Economics, and later earned a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University, specializing in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering.

Pascal Dozie left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s financial and telecom landscapes. He founded Diamond Bank in 1990, a trailblazing institution that later merged with Access Bank in one of the country’s most significant banking consolidations.

Beyond banking, he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s telecommunications boom as the former Chairman of MTN Nigeria, guiding the telecom giant through its early years and into national prominence.

Highly regarded for his integrity, vision, and contributions to Nigeria’s economic transformation, Dozie’s legacy stands tall in the country’s corporate history.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Chinyere, and their five children — leaving behind not just a family, but a legacy that generations will remember.