President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pascal Dozie, a prominent Nigerian businessman and the former Chairman of MTN Nigeria. Dozie, who was also the founder of the now-defunct Diamond Bank, passed away at the age of 85 in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a statement shared by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and to the Nigerian business community. He noted that Dozie was a unique and influential business leader whose contributions to Nigeria’s private sector had a lasting impact.
Describing the late businessman as “a rare breed business leader whose wisdom, humility, and pioneering efforts laid a foundation upon which many continue to build,” Tinubu acknowledged Dozie’s critical role in shaping the Nigerian business landscape. The president emphasized that Dozie’s efforts, particularly in the telecommunications sector, helped lay the groundwork for the significant growth of companies such as MTN Nigeria.
The statement further revealed that President Tinubu offered prayers for the peaceful repose of Dozie’s soul, while also extending his sympathies to the late businessman’s wife, children, and extended family. He expressed that the loss of such an influential figure would be deeply felt across the business sector and the country at large.
In his message, President Tinubu also urged members of the Nigerian private sector to preserve and honor Dozie’s memory by upholding the principles of integrity, innovation, and nation-building.
