Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has died at the age of 68.
The distinguished scholar of veterinary medicine and seasoned university administrator passed away in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Confirming the development, the institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, announced that the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, formally reported the death of UNILORIN’s 9th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ambali, OON.
According to the statement, “Prof. Ambali, who led the University from 2012 to 2017, died earlier this morning after a brief illness.
He was 68.
His passing is a profound loss not only to the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, Malete, where he served as Pro-Chancellor, but also to the nation and humanity at large.”
Prof. Egbewole extended condolences to Ambali’s family, the Ilorin Emirate, and the wider academic community, urging sympathisers to attend the Janazah prayers scheduled for 4 p.m. today at his Oloje Housing Estate residence in Ilorin.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Prof. Ambali began his education at Pakata Primary School before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo.
He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981, followed by a Master’s and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool.
His academic career spanned lecturing at the University of Maiduguri before joining UNILORIN, where he rose to become Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
He also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.Until his death, Prof. Ambali was the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, continuing his lifelong dedication to education and scholarship.
