He was 68 years old.
Confirming the development in a statement, the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, said the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, announced the passing of the institution’s 9th Vice-Chancellor, describing it as a major loss to the university community 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 read.
It further noted that Prof. Egbewole had extended condolences to the family of the late scholar and the people of the Ilorin Emirate, while urging members of the university community and sympathisers to attend the Janazah prayer scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at his residence in Oloje Housing Estate.
“The death of Prof. Ambali… 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,” the statement added.
Until his death, Ambali served as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of UNILORIN.
Born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, he began his education at Pakata Primary School before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo. He later obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981, followed by a Master’s and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool.
Ambali’s academic career saw him lecture at the University of Maiduguri before joining UNILORIN, where he rose to become Professor of Veterinary Medicine and later the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
He also held prominent professional positions, including Chairman of the Association of West African Universities, and was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria.
His passing marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and university administration, with colleagues describing him as a dedicated scholar whose influence extended beyond Nigeria’s higher education sector.