1

                                                                     [NATIONWIDE
                                                                      INSURANCE
                                                                         LOGO]

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 
HOME OFFICE: ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA - COLUMBUS, OH 43215-2220



December 30, 1996

VIA EDGAR

The United States Securities and
         Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Subject: Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 of
         Nationwide Life Insurance Company
         SEC File No. 33-63179
         CIK No. 0000820914

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act of 1933 and on behalf of the
Nationwide VLI Separate Account-2 (the "Variable Account") and Nationwide Life
Insurance Company (the "Company"), we certify that the form of the Prospectus
that would have been filed under paragraph (b) under Rule 497 does not differ
from the form of the Prospectus contained in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
(under the Securities Act of 1933) to the Registration Statement for the Company
and the Variable Account which was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission electronically on December 20, 1996 and became effective December 23,
1996.

If there are any questions in connection with the enclosed, please contact Brian
M. Bacon, Esq. at (614) 249-7452.

Very truly yours,

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

/s/ Joseph P. Rath
- ------------------
    Joseph P. Rath
    Vice President and Associate General Counsel