Former UNILORIN VC, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Passes On At 68

The academic community has been thrown into mourning with the passing of Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin. According to a statement by the university's Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, the renowned scholar died in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin. The current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, announced the death, describing it as a huge loss to the university, the nation, and humanity. Professor Ambali, who was 68, died after a brief illness. Before his demise, he was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Kwara State University, Malete. Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Ambali began his educational journey at Pakata Primary School and later attended Government Secondary School, Jalingo. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and later earned his Master's degree and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool. Professor Ambali had a distinguished career, serving as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ilorin and as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities. He was also a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor has sympathized with the family of the late scholar and the people of the Ilorin Emirate, urging sympathizers to attend the Janazah for the late ex-Vice Chancellor at his Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin, by 4 pm on Saturday, June 6, 2026.