Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has passed away at the age of 68.
The distinguished veterinary medicine scholar and former university administrator reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State, after a brief illness.
His death was announced by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), in a statement issued by the institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun.
According to the statement, Ambali, who served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the university between 2012 and 2017, died on Saturday morning.
Describing the development as a major loss, Egbewole said the late academic’s passing would be deeply felt not only by the University of Ilorin community but also by Kwara State University, Malete, where he was serving as Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor.
The vice-chancellor further noted that the nation and the academic community had lost a respected scholar whose contributions to higher education and veterinary medicine left an enduring impact.
He sympathised with Ambali’s family, the people of the Ilorin Emirate and members of the university community, urging sympathisers to attend the Janazah prayer scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday at the late professor’s residence in Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin.
Before his death, Ambali was actively involved in university administration, serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University following the completion of his tenure at 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 obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and later earned both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool.
His academic career took him to the University of Maiduguri before he joined the University of Ilorin, where he rose through the ranks to become a professor and later the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The late scholar also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, earning recognition for his contributions to academic development and veterinary practice across the region.