Financial community honours Pascal Dozie’s legacy at NGX tribute
Onome Amuge
Leading figures from Nigerian finance industry recently convened at the Nigerian Exchange Group House to celebrate the life and impact of the late Pascal G. Dozie, former president of the council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The Afternoon of Tributes and Special Closing Gong Ceremony, organised by NGX Group, paid homage to a visionary leader whose integrity and foresight were instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s financial markets and corporate landscape.
Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of NGX Group, in his opening remarks, spoke on Dozie’s wide-ranged influence. “Dr. Dozie was a banker, entrepreneur, economist, and philanthropist—but above all, he was a builder of institutions.
“His tenure as President of the NSE Council marked a pivotal chapter in our history. With foresight and steady leadership, he laid the foundation for a world-class Exchange that not only serves Nigeria but inspires confidence across Africa,” Kwairanga stated.
A stream of tributes from industry leaders followed, highlighting Dozie’s legacy of principled leadership and his commitment to institutional advancement.
Ernest Ndukwe, chairman of MTN Nigeria Plc, commended his role in embedding professionalism within the private sector.
Gabriel Idahosa, president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), described Dozie as a man of unwavering principle whose life embodied ethical leadership and nation-building.
Raymond Obieri, a former NSE Council president, recalled their shared dedication to institutional growth, noting, “Pascal was the kind of leader who brought calm to chaos and vision to uncertainty. His leadership was never about power, it was always about purpose.”
Ahonsi Unuigbe, chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited, urged attendees to translate their admiration into tangible action. “He did not just serve; he built, inspired, and transformed,” Unuigbe said. “The greatest tribute we can pay is to ensure the institutions he strengthened continue to thrive with integrity, transparency, and innovation,” he stated.
Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), emphasised Dozie’s foundational role in the organisation. “He was not just a founding father of NESG but a compass for our mission to build a globally competitive Nigerian economy. His vision and principled leadership continue to guide us,” Yusuf noted.
Offering a personal reflection, Uzoma Dozie shared an intimate tribute to his father, describing him as a man of quiet wisdom and grace.
He added, “His presence commanded respect, and his influence shaped minds and institutions alike. His absence will be deeply felt.”
Temi Popoola, Group Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, characterised Dozie as “more than an industry titan, he was a mentor, a visionary, and a nation-builder.” Popoola acknowledged his pioneering and transformative contributions, expressing gratitude to the Dozie family for sharing him with the nation.
Other notable figures who spoke at the event included Emmanuel Ikazoboh, former interim administrator of the NSE; Oscar N. Onyema, former Group CEO of NGX Group; Olufemi Akinsanya, chairman of NGX Regulation; Elizabeth Ebi, managing director of Futureview Group; and Frank Aigbogun, publisher/CEO of BusinessDay Media.
The ceremony culminated in the symbolic Closing Gong, serving not as a final farewell, but as a reaffirmation of the core values of integrity, excellence, and service that defined Dozie’s distinguished career and legacy.