President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the death of renowned entrepreneur, banker and elder statesman, Chief Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who passed away at the age of 85.
According to a statement issued by the family on Tuesday and reported by Chronicle NG, Dozie’s passing marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s business and economic landscape.
In a tribute released through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dozie as a visionary who played a key role in Nigeria’s development.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Dozie family, the business community, and all Nigerians on the passing of Chief Pascal Gabriel Dozie, an elder statesman, entrepreneur, and banker. He was 85,” the statement read.
The President praised Dozie for his groundbreaking contributions to banking and telecommunications as the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria.
“Chief Pascal Dozie, OON, was a visionary whose contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy. As the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria, he was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications.”
Tinubu also commended Dozie’s dedication to national development and his impactful leadership.
“Chief Dozie, a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s vast potential, was pivotal in shaping the financial services industry and expanding access to mobile connectivity nationwide. His influential leadership extended well beyond corporate boardrooms.”
In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Dozie held several influential roles in national economic policy, including as a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
“In addition to his business acumen, Chief 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,” Tinubu added.
The President hailed him as a rare example of excellence and integrity in leadership.
“President Tinubu lauds Chief 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.”
President Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of Dozie’s soul and urged the Nigerian private sector to uphold the values the late business icon championed.
“The President prays for the peaceful repose of Chief Dozie’s soul and extends his condolences to his wife, children, and extended family. He calls upon the Nigerian private sector to honour Chief Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.”
