Breaking: Former UNILORIN VC Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, dies at 68
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, is dead.
The renowned academic and veterinary medicine scholar reportedly passed away in the early hours of Saturday. He was 68.
Prof. Ambali served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017, succeeding Prof. Is-haq Oloyede and later handing over to Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem at the end of his tenure.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Ambali was widely respected in Nigeria’s academic community for his contributions to veterinary medicine, university administration and higher education development.
He began his education at Pakata Primary School, Ilorin, and later attended Government Secondary School, Jalingo. He obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981 before proceeding to the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, where he earned both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and 1989 respectively.
Throughout a distinguished academic career spanning more than three decades, Ambali rose through the ranks from Assistant Lecturer to Professor of Veterinary Medicine. He taught at the University of Maiduguri between 1982 and 1995 before joining the University of Ilorin, where he became the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Beyond the University of Ilorin, he served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.
At the time of his death, he was serving as Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University (KWASU).
A recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Prof. Ambali was credited with mentoring numerous scholars, supervising postgraduate students and publishing more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
In recent years, he remained actively involved in the development of higher education in Kwara State, including efforts aimed at strengthening medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
More details later.
