Former UNILORIN VC, Prof. Ambali dies at 68

The University of Ilorin community has been thrown into mourning following the death of its former Vice-Chancellor, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who died at the age of 68.

The renowned veterinary medicine scholar and former university administrator reportedly passed away in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State.

His death was confirmed in a statement issued by the University of Ilorin’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun. According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, announced the passing of the university’s ninth Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali.

The statement read, “Prof. Ambali, who headed the University from 2012 to 2017, died earlier this morning after a brief illness. He was 68.

“The death of Prof. Ambali, according to the Vice Chancellor, is a huge loss not only to the University of Ilorin and the Kwara State University, Malete, which he currently serves as Pro-Chancellor but also to the entire nation and humanity.

“Prof. Egbewole, who has sympathised with the family of the great scholar and the people of the Ilorin Emirate, enjoined sympathisers, particularly members of the UNILORIN community to attend the Janazah for the late ex-Vice Chancellor at his Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin, by 4.pm.today, Saturday,June 6, 2026.”

Until his death, Ambali served as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, having assumed the role after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

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Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Ambali began his educational journey 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 subsequently obtained both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool.

His academic career started at the University of Maiduguri before he joined the University of Ilorin, where he rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Veterinary Medicine. He later became the pioneer Dean of the institution’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Beyond his contributions to higher education, Ambali served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.