Who Is Dozy Mmobuosi?
Dozy Mmobuosi is a Nigerian businessman and entrepreneur who founded Tingo Mobile in 2001. He later served as CEO of the Nasdaq-listed Tingo Group. He is known for a failed bid to buy Sheffield United and for a US securities fraud case against him.
The table below lists key biographical facts about Dozy Mmobuosi. The first column names the category. The second column gives the recorded detail.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Dozy Mmobuosi (born Chiedozi Mmobuosi, by his account) |
| Name in SEC filings | Odogwu Banye Mmobuosi |
| Birth date | April 1978 (other sources list 1979) |
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Education | Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma |
| Founded | Tingo Mobile (2001) |
| Former role | CEO of Tingo Group |
| Spouse | Oluwatosin Mmobuosi |
| Children | 3 |
What Is Dozy Mmobuosi’s Real Name and Age?
Dozy Mmobuosi was born in April 1978, according to Wikipedia, which cites UK Companies House. Other websites list 1979. He told the Nigerian Guardian in February 2024 that he was born Chiedozi Mmobuosi and adopted “Dozy” more than two decades earlier.
SEC filings and The Times use the name Odogwu Banye Mmobuosi. He said in the same statement that his name is not Odogwu.
Where Is Dozy Mmobuosi From and What Did He Study?
Dozy Mmobuosi was born in Lagos and earned his degrees at Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo State. He holds a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Master of Science in economics from the university. He reports a doctorate in rural advancement from Universiti Putra Malaysia, awarded in 2007. Hindenburg Research said in June 2023 that it could not verify that degree.
He completed the Advanced Management and Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, in March 2022. In 2024, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo in Delta State conferred the title Okpala on him.
How Did Dozy Mmobuosi Start His Business Career?
Dozy Mmobuosi started his business career in 2001 by founding Tingo Mobile. Tingo Mobile provided mobile technology and fintech services to rural communities in Nigeria. Its earlier name was Fair Deal.
His ventures followed 5 steps:
- Found Tingo Mobile in 2001, according to Wikipedia.
- Launch an SMS banking solution in 2002.
- Create the social platform Naijafans in 2003.
- Found Tingo Inc., traded on the OTC Markets Group, in 2015.
- Launch the digital agricultural marketplace Nwassa in January 2019.
Tingo Group later listed on Nasdaq under the symbol TIO. He served as CEO until December 2023.
Why Did Dozy Mmobuosi Try to Buy Sheffield United?
Dozy Mmobuosi tried to buy Sheffield United in early 2023 in a reported £90 million takeover. He reportedly paid a near £10 million non-refundable deposit. He later discontinued the bid and announced plans for a Lagos football club called Club 1472.
[Internal link: Sheffield United Takeover Bid History]
What Did Hindenburg Research Allege About Tingo?
Hindenburg Research published a report on 6 June 2023 that called Tingo Group a scam. Tingo shares fell sharply afterward. Tingo Group denied the claims and said the report contained errors of fact. Hindenburg later described the company’s response as fabrications.
What Charges Did the SEC and US Prosecutors Bring?
The US SEC and prosecutors in the Southern District of New York brought civil and criminal charges in December 2023 and January 2024. The table below lists the main events by date.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 November 2023 | SEC halts trading in Tingo Group shares |
| 18 December 2023 | SEC files a civil complaint alleging fraud |
| 20 December 2023 | Mmobuosi steps down temporarily as interim co-CEO |
| 2 January 2024 | US prosecutors charge him with 3 counts |
| August 2024 | Federal court enters default judgments |
| December 2024 | Tingo Group reportedly ceases activities |
| August 2025 | SEC settles with a Nigerian auditor in the Tingo case |
What Did the SEC Allege?
The SEC alleged that Mmobuosi led a scheme from at least 2019 to fabricate financial statements of Tingo Group, Agri-Fintech Holdings, and Tingo International Holdings. It said Tingo Group’s 2022 annual report listed $461.7 million in cash when the bank accounts held less than $50.
What Did US Prosecutors Charge?
The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York charged him with conspiracy, securities fraud, and making false filings with the SEC. Prosecutors alleged that he misrepresented Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods as profitable businesses. They also alleged that he took cash from the listed companies. The charges are allegations, and the sources reviewed report no conviction.
What Did the Court Order?
The court entered final judgments by default, so Mmobuosi did not contest the case. The SEC reported that he must pay disgorgement of about $156.7 million plus about $20.2 million in prejudgment interest. The judgment also bars him from serving as an officer or director of a public company. Media outlets reported total penalties above $250 million.
What Is Dozy Mmobuosi’s Response to the Allegations?
Dozy Mmobuosi has denied the fraud allegations. He called the charges unfounded in January 2024 and said he planned to contest them. After the September 2024 judgment, he called the SEC’s accusations baseless and said the SEC ignored a Nigerian police report. That report, he said, verified Tingo’s operations.
He has also faced a 2018 Nigerian case from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged ₦31 million dud cheque. The case was adjourned after a co-defendant failed to appear.
What Is Dozy Mmobuosi Doing Now?
Dozy Mmobuosi launched two AI-focused ventures in February 2025. They are an agricultural AI platform and Tingo AI Radio 102.5 FM in Lagos. TingoGPT launched in Los Angeles in April 2025. He also self-published a memoir titled Against The Odds: My Journey Through Storms and Triumphs.
A December 2025 report placed him in Ikoyi, Lagos. That claim comes from a single outlet.
Who Is Dozy Mmobuosi’s Family?
Dozy Mmobuosi is married to Oluwatosin, and they have 3 children. Public reporting gives few other details about his family.
People Also Ask About Dozy Mmobuosi
Who founded Tingo?
Dozy Mmobuosi founded Tingo Mobile in 2001.
What is Dozy Mmobuosi accused of?
The SEC and US prosecutors allege that he fabricated financial statements of Tingo companies to defraud investors.
How much was Dozy Mmobuosi ordered to pay?
The SEC reported disgorgement of about $156.7 million plus about $20.2 million in interest, and media reports cite more than $250 million in total penalties.
Did Dozy Mmobuosi try to buy Sheffield United?
Yes, he pursued a reported £90 million takeover in 2023 and later dropped the bid.
Has Dozy Mmobuosi denied the allegations?
Yes, he has called the allegations unfounded and baseless.
What Is the Summary of Dozy Mmobuosi’s Biography?
Dozy Mmobuosi is a Lagos-born Nigerian businessman who founded Tingo Mobile in 2001 and led Tingo Group. The SEC and US prosecutors allege that he fabricated financial results, and a US court entered default judgments against him in 2024. He denies the allegations and launched AI ventures in 2025.