A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has reportedly died.
Ambali, a renowned scholar of Veterinary Medicine and university administrator, reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, 2026, at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Newsextra24 understands that Ambali was 68 and would have turned 69 on November 29.
According to Newsextra24 family sources said the former vice-chancellor passed away around 3 a.m., a few hours after attending the Isha’i prayer at a nearby mosque on Friday night.
He was not known to have been ill before his death.
His Janazah is scheduled to be held at 4 p.m. at his residence along Air Force Road, Oloje Estate, Ilorin.
Ambali served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin between 2012 and 2017.
At the time of his death, he was the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, a position he held after his tenure at the University of Ilorin.
The late academic left behind a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in teaching, research and university administration.
He was widely regarded as one of the prominent scholars who contributed to the growth of veterinary medicine and higher education in Nigeria.
Ambali was born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He began his education at Pakata Primary School before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo.
He later obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981.
Ambali also earned a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Before joining the University of Ilorin, he lectured at the University of Maiduguri, where he began building his career as an academic and researcher.
He later moved to the University of Ilorin, where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Veterinary Medicine.
He also served as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the institution.
Ambali was known for his contributions to academic scholarship, institutional development and mentoring of younger academics.
He supervised several postgraduate students and published more than 80 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals.
He also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.
In recognition of his contributions to education and national development, he was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Reacting to his death, the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union described Ambali’s passing as a painful loss to the Ilorin Emirate and Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, the union said its members received the news with shock and deep sadness.
The IEDPU described the late academic as “a complete patriot and perfect gentleman” who served humanity with humility and dedication.
The union said Ambali contributed significantly to the growth of the University of Ilorin and also played important roles in the affairs of the union.
It noted that he once served as chairman of the union’s Maiduguri branch and presided over the opening ceremony of its 2018 national conference.
“His death is not only a terrible blow but an incident that diminishes the people of the Ilorin Emirate,” the statement said.
The IEDPU extended its condolences to Ambali’s family, the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the managements of Kwara State University and the University of Ilorin.
The union also commiserated with the late professor’s colleagues, associates, former students and friends.
It prayed to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal mercy.
Ambali is remembered for his service to education, his contributions to veterinary medicine, and his role in strengthening the University of Ilorin’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most stable and sought-after universities.
