The University of Ilorin community has been thrown into mourning following the death of its former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Prof. Ambali, a renowned veterinary medicine scholar and respected university administrator, died after a brief illness at the age of 68.
Confirming his passing in a statement, the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, announced the death of the institution’s 9th Vice-Chancellor.
According to the statement, Ambali, who led the University of Ilorin between 2012 and 2017, was also serving as Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, at the time of his death.
“The death of Prof. Ambali is a huge loss not only to the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, but also to the entire nation and humanity,” the statement read.
The Vice-Chancellor further announced that a Janazah prayer would be held for the late scholar at his residence in Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin, by 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Prof. Ambali began his educational journey at Pakata Primary School before attending Government Secondary School, Jalingo. He later 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.
He lectured at the University of Maiduguri before joining the University of Ilorin, where he rose to become a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and later pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Over the years, he held several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.
His passing marks the end of a distinguished academic career that shaped veterinary education and university leadership in Nigeria
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