Gone But Never Forgotten:
Remembering Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON
By Prof. Olatunji Matthew Kolawole
I am yet to recover from the shock of the passing of our former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON. Each day, part of me hopes to wake up to the news that it was all a rumour. However, the reality of his departure became undeniable after the Fidau prayers held in his honour. Prof. Ambali has gone to eternal rest, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and worked with him.
Prof. Ambali served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017. He was the epitome of a servant leader—approachable, compassionate, and always willing to listen. I had the privilege of serving under his administration as Acting Head of the Department of Microbiology from 2012 to 2014. During that period, I witnessed firsthand the remarkable leadership qualities that distinguished him. He believed in excellence, recognized dedication, and was always willing to support those who demonstrated commitment and sincerity of purpose.
Since its establishment as an independent department in 2005, following its separation from the defunct Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Microbiology had faced significant infrastructural challenges. For many years, we occupied offices in Block 3 and later Block 6 of the academic area. Senior academic staff shared offices due to limited space, while other staff contended with leaking roofs and inadequate facilities.
A major turning point came during Prof. Ambali’s administration when the current Microbiology Building started during the tenure of Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, CFR was completed and eventually allocated to the department. Despite considerable opposition and competing interests to prevent the department from occupying the magnificent one-storey facility, Prof. Ambali listened to my passionate appeal as Head of Department and ensured that the building was allocated exclusively to the Department of Microbiology. This decision reflected his fairness, compassion, and willingness to listen to reason.
With his support, I successfully coordinated the relocation of the department from Block 6—formerly occupied by the Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences—to the new Microbiology Building. Yet, while this represented a significant achievement, another challenge remained. The new building lacked sufficient laboratory space to accommodate our rapidly growing student population. Consequently, students still had to return to Block 2 for practical classes, and there was inadequate office space for technologists and laboratory personnel.
Determined to address this challenge, I wrote a letter of appeal through my Dean, seeking support for the construction of a dedicated laboratory complex. In 2013, through the encouragement and support of the then Dean of the newly created Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. A. Sani, I was invited to the Council Chamber to present the design and justification for a proposed laboratory complex, including offices for staff and technologists.
I vividly remember that day. Prof. Ambali listened attentively and patiently throughout my presentation. At the conclusion of the meeting, the proposal received approval for immediate construction. Today, that vision stands as a lasting testament to his leadership. The laboratory complex now houses the Department of Microbiology’s teaching and research laboratories, while another section accommodates the offices of the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, the Faculty Secretariat, and offices for senior academics across the faculty.
These achievements are only a few examples of Prof. Ambali’s enduring legacy. He was a leader who empowered others, invested in institutional development, and made decisions based on fairness and the greater good of the university community. His contributions continue to shape the academic environment and support the training of future generations of scientists and scholars.
Prof. Ambali’s passing is a great loss not only to the University of Ilorin but also to the Nigerian academic community. His legacy of service, humility, vision, and compassion will continue to inspire those of us who had the privilege of working with him.
May Almighty God grant comfort and strength to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire University of Ilorin community during this difficult time. Farewell to a remarkable leader whose listening ear, humility, and commitment to service touched countless lives. Adieu, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali.
Prof. Olatunji Matthew Kolawole, FAAS
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences,
University of Ilorin.
June 9, 2026
