Pascal Dozie

Pascal Gabriel Dozie, renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, has passed away at the age of 85.

Family sources confirmed that Dozie died in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025—just a day before what would have been his 86th birthday—following complications related to an age-associated illness.

Dozie was widely respected for his visionary role in Nigeria’s financial sector. He founded Diamond Bank, one of the country’s most innovative commercial banks, which later merged with Access Bank in a landmark consolidation. He served as the bank’s chairman for years before handing over the reins to his son, Uzoma Dozie.

In addition to his legacy in banking, Pascal Dozie also served as the former chairman of MTN Nigeria, playing a key role in the development of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Tributes are already pouring in from across the corporate and political sectors.