JAMB mourns ex-UNILORIN VC, Ambali
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, describing him as a distinguished academic, accomplished administrator and committed patriot whose contributions to Nigeria’s educational development remain enduring.
In a statement signed by the Public Communication Advisor of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, penultimate Saturday(June 6, 2026), the Board noted that Prof. Ambali, who served as the Chairman of the JAMB Virtue Vanguard Group, provided exemplary leadership and guidance to one of the Board’s critical examination monitoring and quality assurance teams.
He said that through his wisdom, dedication and unwavering commitment to ethical standards, the Virtue Vanguard Group made significant contributions to strengthening the credibility, transparency and integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Board described the late Professor of Veterinary Medicine as a voice of reason, a mentor to many and a steadfast advocate of the values that continue to define JAMB’s examination processes.
According to the statement, the positive transformation witnessed in the conduct of the UTME over the years bears testimony to the collective efforts of committed stakeholders such as Prof. Ambali, whose passion for educational advancement remained unwavering until his last days.
He further recalled the immense contributions of the late Prof. Ambali to Nigeria’s educational development, not only as a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and an accomplished scholar of international repute, but also as a respected statesman whose counsel was always guided by the larger national interest.
The Board described Prof. Ambali’s death as a painful loss to the educational community and all those who had the privilege of working with him, noting that his legacy of integrity, diligence, humility and selfless service would continue to inspire future generations.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, while also praying for strength and fortitude for his family, friends, colleagues and associates to bear the irreparable loss.
