From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has described late elder statesman, entrepreneur, and banker, Pascal Dozie, who passed at the age of 85, as a visionary whose contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy.
He noted in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications.
In his message of condolence to the Dozie family, the business community, and all Nigerians on the passing of Dozie, President Tinubu noted that he was a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s vast potential, pivotal in shaping the financial services industry and expanding access to mobile connectivity nationwide.
“His influential leadership extended well beyond corporate boardrooms”, he noted.
In addition to his business acumen, Dozie 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, dedicating decades of service to national policy formulation, private sector development, and youth empowerment.
President Tinubu lauded Dozie as “a rare breed business leader whose wisdom, humility, and pioneering efforts laid a foundation upon which many continue to build. His passing is a profound loss to the private sector and Nigeria.”
He prayed for the peaceful repose of Chief Dozie’s soul and extended his condolences to his wife, children, and extended family.
He called upon the Nigerian private sector to honour Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.