By Abubakar Imam
The 9th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, has identified discipline among staff and students of the University as one of the most significant attributes that make the institution unique.
Prof. Ambali made this assertion last Monday (November 3, 2025) while featuring on Countdown to UNILORIN @ 50, a special personality interview programme on UNILORIN 89.3FM.
The former Vice Chancellor, who started his teaching and administrative career at the University of Maiduguri, which was founded along with the University of Ilorin in 1975, said that successive administrations of the institution succeeded in stimulating and instilling discipline in members of the University community, particularly staff and students, which make them stand out among their peers.
He explained that parents and families as well as members of the general public often admired remarkable positive differences in their children as soon as they are matriculated.
Prof. Ambali, who is the founding Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, said these changes range from dressings, manners and general dispositions to life compared to what was visible in them before becoming Unilorites.
The former Vice Chancellor said that the University does not only impart knowledge but also inculcate virtues in its students for them to become responsible members of the human community.
Prof. Ambali, who headed the University from 2012 to 2017, said that the University is also unique because of its strict adherence to its academic calendar, noting that it is the only public University that ran its academic calendar for more than two decades without any form of disruption.
He said that the University, for more than two decades, had no record of either industrial unrest from staff or rampage by students for any reason. Prof. Ambali, therefore, suggested that the University should be rewarded for consistently keeping its gate open for teaching, learning, research and community services.
He also noted that the green and clean environment of the University also makes it attractive and admirable to all visitors as he recalled that not a few dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria often expressed their love for the University’s exciting and friendly nature.
Prof. Ambali, who is currently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Kwara State University, Malete, said that the University of Ilorin Golden Jubilee deserves to be greatly celebrated in view of its remarkable achievements.
The former Vice Chancellor said that the University has produced thousands of alumni who are doing very well for themselves and the nation as well as humanity.
He, therefore, charged the alumni to support the University towards the celebration of the institution’s golden age and more especially towards repositioning the University for better service delivery.
Speaking on other issues, Prof. Ambali commended the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, for being in charge at the period it is marking its 50th anniversary.
He also commended Prof. Egbewole for working very hard for the University to maintain its leadership positions at regional, national and international levels.
He said that he has been following the fascinating actions of Prof. Egbewole since his assumption of office and believed that he is doing very well as an academic and administrator.
Responding to a question, Prof. Ambali said that there is no statutory body comprising former Vice Chancellors of the University. He said that there is no such body in any Nigerian University.
The former Vice Chancellor said that he and Prof. Egbewole sometimes discuss the progress of the University at informal level, which enables him to offer suggestions.
Prof. Ambali said that having a forum of ex-Vice Chancellors formalised would be a fantastic idea as he said that such a forum would give its members greater privilege of offering suggestions to the incumbent Administration in the interest of the University.
Prof. Ambali said that while university autonomy might be a fantastic idea, it would, however impact negatively on ordinary people who may find it difficult to get their children and wards enrolled into such institutions.
The former Vice Chancellor said that it is better that the University autonomy remains as it is for the benefit of ordinary citizens of the country.
