‘A rare breed’ — Tinubu says Pascal Dozie’s death profound loss to private sector

President Bola Tinubu says the passing of Pascal Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, is a profound loss Nigeria and the private sector.

The economist died on April 8 (a day before his 86th birthday), according to a statement by his family.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, said the president described Dozie as a visionary whose contributions to the country’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy.

“As the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria, he was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications,” the statement reads.

“Chief Dozie, a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s vast potential, was pivotal in shaping the financial services industry and expanding access to mobile connectivity nationwide. His influential leadership extended well beyond corporate boardrooms.

“In addition to his business acumen, Chief Dozie served as a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, dedicating decades of service to national policy formulation, private sector development, and youth empowerment.”

Onanuga said the president hailed him as “a rare breed business leader whose wisdom, humility, and pioneering efforts laid a foundation upon which many continue to build”.

“His passing is a profound loss to the private sector and Nigeria,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.

He extended his prayers for the peaceful repose of Dozie’s soul and condoled with his wife, children, and extended family.

Tinubu urged the Nigerian private sector to honour Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.