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                                                               [NATIONWIDE LOGO]

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

May 4, 1999


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.  33-42180
          CIK No.  0000820914


Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") 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 and the Statement of Additional Information that would have been
filed under paragraphs (b) and (c) under Rule 497 does not differ from the form
of the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information contained in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 (1933 Act) to the Registration Statement for the
Company and the Variable Account which became effective May 1, 1999.

Please contact the undersigned at (614) 249-0075 with any questions regarding
this filing.

Very truly yours,

NATIONWIDE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


Heather Harker, Esq.
Compliance Manager


cc:      Mr. Kevin Kirchoff, Esq.
         Branch Chief
         Stop 5-6
         Office of Insurance Products and Legal Compliance