Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has died at the age of 68.
He passed away in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State, following a brief illness.
His death was confirmed in an official statement issued by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Wahab Olasupo Egbewole.
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 p.m. today, Saturday, June 6, 2026.”
Before his passing, Ambali served as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN between 2012 and 2017.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, he began his early education at Pakata Primary School before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo.
He later earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981, followed by a master’s degree and PhD from the University of Liverpool.
Ambali lectured at the University of Maiduguri before joining UNILORIN, where he rose through the academic ranks to become a Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the pioneer Dean of the Faculty.
