Pascal Dozie, the founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank and former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has died at the age of 85 after battling an undisclosed illness.
Dozie, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s banking and telecommunications sectors, was widely recognized for his role in establishing Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank. His leadership also contributed significantly to the growth of MTN Nigeria, one of the country’s largest telecom operators.
Born on April 9, 1939, Dozie was raised in a Catholic household by his father, Charles Dozie, a catechist. He began his education at Our Lady’s School in Emekuku and continued at the Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he earned his West African School Certificate.
He pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, obtaining a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. He later studied Operational Research and Industrial Engineering and earned a master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University, London.
Dozie started his professional journey in the UK at the National Economic Development Office. He also taught part-time at North Western Polytechnic in London before accepting a role in Uganda as a consulting economist for the African States Consulting Organisation.
His time in Uganda coincided with a turbulent political period. After President Milton Obote was overthrown in a 1971 coup led by General Idi Amin, Dozie returned to Nigeria with his family to continue his professional endeavors.
