Pascal Gabriel Dozie, the founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 85. Dozie, a celebrated economist and business leader, died following a brief illness, the nature of which remains undisclosed.
Born in 1939 in Egbu village, Owerri, Imo State, Dozie was the son of Charles Dozie, a Catholic catechist. His early life and upbringing were deeply rooted in education and discipline, shaping the foundation for his illustrious career.
Dozie began his education at Our Lady’s School, Emekuku, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate. He then proceeded to Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, for his secondary education, excelling in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Determined to further his education, Dozie traveled to London, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the prestigious London School of Economics. He later advanced his studies at City University in London, obtaining a master’s degree in Administrative Science with a focus on Operational Research and Industrial Engineering.
Dozie’s professional journey began in the United Kingdom, where he worked as an economist at the National Economic Development Office. During this time, he also shared his knowledge as a part-time lecturer at North Western Polytechnic in London. Between 1970 and 1971, he served as a consulting economist at the African States Consulting Organisation in Uganda.
In 1971, at his mother’s behest, Dozie returned to Nigeria, where he embarked on a new chapter of his career. Leveraging his expertise in econometrics and industrial engineering, he founded the African Development Consulting Group (ADCG). This firm worked with leading companies such as Nestlé and Pfizer, providing innovative solutions and contributing to their growth in Nigeria.
Dozie’s reputation for excellence caught the attention of Clement Isong, then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who engaged him to conduct studies on the Cooperative and Commerce Bank. This marked the beginning of his influence in Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Throughout his career, Dozie was widely regarded as a trailblazer in banking and corporate governance. His founding of Diamond Bank revolutionized Nigeria’s banking sector, introducing customer-centric services and innovative solutions. Under his leadership, the bank grew to become one of Nigeria’s most respected financial institutions before its merger with Access Bank in 2019.
As chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dozie played a pivotal role in establishing the telecommunications giant as a household name, bringing connectivity and communication to millions of Nigerians.
Dozie’s contributions extended beyond the boardroom. He was a mentor, philanthropist, and advocate for economic development, leaving a legacy that transcends the corporate world.
Pascal Dozie’s passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian banking and business. His life and achievements will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and leaders. Details of his funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
