• Moves to Immortalise him

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The University of Ilorin has announced plans to immortalise its late former Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, OON, as academics, administrators, community leaders and stakeholders celebrated his legacy of humility, integrity and transformative leadership.

The decision was disclosed on Monday during a Special Senate Session held at the University Auditorium in Ilorin in honour of the institution’s ninth Vice Chancellor, who died on June 6, 2026.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), described the late Ambali as a visionary administrator whose tenure left enduring marks on the institution’s academic growth, infrastructure, welfare policies and global reputation.

Announcing plans to preserve his memory, Egbewole said the university would erect a strategic monument in honour of the late scholar.

“Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali cannot be forgotten. We will honour his legacies with a strategic monument on our campus,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that while the university community was mourning the loss of a distinguished academic, it was also celebrating a life devoted to service and excellence.

“As a university, we are sad, but we are celebrating a life of fulfilment and achievements. As a nation, one of our best is gone, but what we see in the palm of our hands are his candour, courage, fighting spirit and record of achievements,” Egbewole stated.

He credited Ambali’s administration, which lasted from October 2012 to October 2017, with sustaining the university’s uninterrupted academic calendar while expanding academic programmes, improving staff and student welfare, strengthening research and advancing infrastructure.

According to him, major projects executed during the period included the digitisation of the university library, expansion of health sciences facilities, improvement in water and electricity supply, enhancement of veterinary and pharmaceutical education, development of an oil palm plantation initiative and promotion of research commercialisation through the Laboratory to Product (LABTOP) programme.

Reflecting on his interactions with the late administrator, Egbewole described him as “a resourceful leader, a very accommodating leader, a committed leader, easy-going, a quintessential gentleman and a leader I acknowledge as an introverted dynamo.”

He urged members of the university community to preserve and build on the gains recorded during Ambali’s tenure.

“How far have we maintained these gains? How far have we sustained these legacies? How resolved are we in ensuring that these sacrifices for our university are not in vain?” he asked.

In a tribute delivered during the Senate session, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, described Ambali as a humble leader, respected scholar and administrator whose contributions continue to resonate within the institution.

Oloyede commended the late professor’s role in expanding academic programmes, improving infrastructure and strengthening institutional growth, noting that his commitment to mentorship, research and staff welfare earned him admiration across the university community.

Also paying tribute, former Vice-Chancellor Professor Suleyman Age described Ambali as a distinguished scholar, humble administrator and committed mentor whose leadership further consolidated the university’s standing among Nigeria’s leading institutions.

According to Age, Ambali’s administration strengthened academic standards, expanded infrastructure and promoted research and innovation, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire staff and students.

Professor Raheem Adebayo Lawal of the Department of Arts Education, who delivered a memorial lecture during the session, portrayed the late professor as a man of deep faith, humility and compassion.

“Like life, like death: the manner of the death of Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali appears to me as a replica of his manners in life. He was humble in life and gentle in death,” Lawal said.

He revealed that Ambali spent the day before his death engaging in worship, attending a burial ceremony, visiting family members and extending support to those around him.

Lawal also recounted how the former Vice-Chancellor maintained composure despite pressure and intrigues often associated with university administration.

“He was in China when a terrifying message was sent to him that the two lions in the University Zoo had escaped and were on their way to Tanke,” he recalled, adding that Ambali later apologised after investigations confirmed the report was false.

Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Professor Gabriel Olatunji, described Ambali as a leader who ruled with humility, transparency and fairness.

According to him, Ambali encouraged open discussions among principal officers and sought collective input before making major decisions.

“While many chief executives would simply issue directives, Prof. Ambali would gather all of us together and respectfully request our opinions and views on important matters,” Olatunji said.

He added that the late professor was prudent in managing university resources and remained committed to fulfilling promises made to staff unions and stakeholders.

Another former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Nike Ijayi, said Ambali’s open-door policy, consultative approach and confidence in his subordinates contributed significantly to the peace and stability enjoyed by the university during his administration.

“Prof. Ambali could not be stampeded into taking rushed decisions. He trusted those working with him and made one feel comfortable taking critical decisions on his behalf,” she said.

Ijayi noted that under Ambali’s leadership, the University of Ilorin became one of the most preferred universities among admission seekers, while maintaining high academic standards and securing accreditation for all its programmes.

The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) also joined in celebrating the late professor’s achievements.

Speaking on behalf of the union’s National President, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, a representative described Ambali as one of Ilorin Emirate’s finest sons and a patriot who served both the university and the wider community with distinction.

“Prof. Ambali has gone, but his legacy of hard work, integrity, dignity, humility, simplicity and patriotism will remain forever,” the representative said.

The union appealed to the university authorities to immortalise the late academic by naming a structure after him and to continue supporting his family.

Professor Ambali, a renowned veterinary medicine scholar, served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin between 2012 and 2017. He is widely remembered for strengthening academic excellence, institutional stability, research development and inclusive leadership within the university system.

The special Senate session drew serving and former vice-chancellors, principal officers, Senate members, union leaders, students and community stakeholders who gathered to celebrate a life many described as exemplary and impactful.