Former UNIILORIN VC, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali is dead
By Mosunmola Ayobami
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, has passed away. Ambali, who served as the institution’s ninth substantive Vice Chancellor, reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Until his death, the renowned academic was serving as the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University, Malete. His passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, former students and members of the academic community.
News of his demise was announced in a message circulated on social media on Saturday. The statement expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the respected scholar and administrator, whose contributions to higher education earned him admiration across the country.
The announcement began with the Islamic declaration, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” signifying submission to the will of Allah. It described Ambali’s death as a painful loss to the University of Ilorin community and the nation at large.
“With total submission to the will of Allah, we announce the death of the 9th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON,” the statement read, while praying for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for the deceased.
The family has announced that the Janazah prayer for the late professor will hold at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at his residence along Air Force Road, Oloje Estate, Ilorin. Family members, associates, colleagues and sympathisers are expected to attend the Islamic funeral rites.
The statement also prayed that Allah grant the deceased Al-Jannatul Firdaus and give his family, friends, colleagues and the entire University of Ilorin community the fortitude to bear the loss. Tributes have continued to pour in from different quarters in honour of the late academic.
Prof. Ambali was widely respected for his contributions to scholarship, university administration and institutional development. His tenure as vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin was marked by efforts to sustain academic excellence and strengthen the institution’s standing among Nigeria’s leading universities.
