A foremost telecommunications company in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, has paid a glowing tribute to its founding chairman, Mr Pascal Gabriel Dozie, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, a day to his 86th birthday.
In a statement, the firm said it was “deeply saddened by the passing” of Mr Dozie, who founded the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, which merged with Access Bank in April 2019.
MTN Nigeria, which extended its condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, and others, said he “played a pivotal role in the emergence of mobile telephony” in the country.
For 18 years, from 2001 to 2019, he served as chairman of the organisation, leading with strength and conviction.
It was stated that his presence on the board was unifying, championing good governance, corporate responsibility, and long-term value, deeply committed to the greater good, and remained a stabilising force in challenging times.
MTN Nigeria said Mr Dozie brought insight, experience, and leadership at a time when bold vision was essential, and was instrumental in securing the early support and investment that brought the Y’ello dream to life.
On May 16, 2001, he made the first call on the MTN network, a historic moment in Nigeria’s telecommunications journey.
The chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, said, “His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come.”
“Dr Dozie was instrumental in MTN Group’s expansion into Nigeria, providing visionary leadership that has left an indelible mark on our company’s history.
“His commitment to excellence and integrity set a standard that we continue to uphold,” the chief executive of MTN Group, Mr Ralph Mupita, noted in the statement.
The company said the memory of Mr Dozie would “remain a guiding light for MTN, Nigeria’s business community, and everyone who shares his unwavering commitment to progress built on integrity and service.”
Listing some of his landmark contributions, the statement said the deceased was instrumental in the incorporation of the MTN Nigeria Foundation in 2004, ensuring that the firm dedicated a percentage of profit after tax to social investments.
He was also involved in the launch of one of Africa’s largest switching centres in 2010, and played a significant role in critical conversations around the regulatory fine and its resolution in 2015.
Also, he supported the introduction of Africa’s first 3G feature phone in 2018, and backed the listing of MTN Nigeria on the premium board of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in 2019.