Pascal Gabriel Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has died at 85.

According to a statement by the family on Tuesday, the business tycoon died in the early hours of Tuesday.

The statement from his son, Uzoma Dozie, who represents the family, reads: ?With deep sorrow, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, on 8th April 2025.?

2. He was 85 and would have been 86 tomorrow (Wednesday).

3. Dozie was raised in a Catholic home, with his father, Charles Dozie, serving as a catechist.

4. Dozie had his early education at Our Lady?s School Emekuku, Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

5. He furthered his studies in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering before obtaining a Master?s degree in Administrative Science from City University in London.

6. Dozie played a critical role in Nigeria?s banking and telecom industries.

7. In 1990, he founded Diamond Bank, which became one of Nigeria?s most respected financial institutions before its eventual merger with Access Bank.

8. He later handed the reins to his son, Uzoma.

9. Dozie was also instrumental to the launching of MTN Nigeria, serving as its pioneer chairman and helping to lead the telecom revolution in the country.

10. His leadership style marked by humility, integrity, and long-term vision earned him widespread recognition, including the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.

11. Dozie is survived by wife Chinyere and five children. (THE NATION)

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