Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has passed away at the age of 68.
The respected academic and veterinary medicine expert reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State, after a brief illness.
The death was announced by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), through a statement issued by the institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun.
According to the statement, Prof. Ambali’s death represents a significant loss to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, where he served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, and the nation at large.
“Prof. Ambali, who served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017, passed away this morning after a brief illness.
His demise is a huge loss not only to the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University but also to the country and humanity,” the statement quoted Egbewole as saying.
The Vice-Chancellor sympathised with the deceased’s family, the Ilorin Emirate, and members of the university community, urging sympathisers to attend the Janazah prayer scheduled to hold at the late professor’s residence in Oloje Estate by 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Before his death, Ambali was serving as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, a position he assumed after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Ambali began his education at Pakata Primary School before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo.
He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and later obtained both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
His academic career took him from the University of Maiduguri to the University of Ilorin, where he rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Ambali also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.
Colleagues and admirers have continued to pay tribute to the late scholar, describing him as a dedicated administrator, accomplished academic and mentor whose contributions left a lasting impact on higher education in Nigeria.
