Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, is dead.

Prof. Ambali, a renowned veterinary medicine scholar and university administrator, died in the early hours of Saturday at his residence in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State, after a brief illness. He was 68.

His death was confirmed in a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs of the University of Ilorin, Kunle Akogun.

According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN), described the late academic’s passing as a huge loss to the institution, Kwara State University, Malete, where he served as Pro-Chancellor, and the nation at large.

“Prof. Ambali, who headed the University from 2012 to 2017, died earlier this morning after a brief illness. He was 68,” the statement said.

Egbewole sympathised with the family of the deceased and the people of the Ilorin Emirate, urging members of the university community and other sympathisers to attend his Janazah prayer scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday at his residence in Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin.

Before his death, Ambali was serving as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, a position he assumed after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Ambali began his education at Pakata Primary School before attending Government Secondary School, Jalingo.

He obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 and later earned a Master’s degree and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

He lectured at the University of Maiduguri before joining the University of Ilorin, where he rose through the ranks to become Professor of Veterinary Medicine and the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Ambali also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.

His contributions to higher education, veterinary medicine and university administration earned him widespread recognition within and outside Nigeria.