The passing of Pascal Dozie, the esteemed founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has been announced by his family. In a statement released in the early hour of today, the prominent business figure died on Monday at the age of 85, okaynews.com reports.
Born on April 9, 1939, Dozie’s early life was rooted in a Catholic upbringing, with his father serving as a catechist. He received his foundational education at Our Lady’s School Emekuku, the Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, and Holy Ghost College in Owerri, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Driven by a thirst for higher learning, Dozie ventured to the United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the prestigious London School of Economics. He furthered his academic pursuits, specializing in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering before obtaining a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University in London.
Dozie’s impact on Nigeria’s banking and telecommunications sectors is undeniable. He was the visionary founder of Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank, and he also served as the chairman of MTN Nigeria, playing a pivotal role in its significant expansion. His substantial contributions to the nation’s economic advancement garnered him widespread respect throughout the country.
Pascal Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and their five children. His legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and influential leader in Nigeria’s business landscape will undoubtedly endure.
