More condolences pour in, as stakeholders mourn UNILORIN’s ex-VC, Ambali
By Abubakar Imam
Messages of condolence have continued to pour into the official mailboxes of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, following the death of one of his illustrious predecessors, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON.
The late Prof. Ambali, the 9th Vice Chancellor of the University, served between 2012 and 2017. He died on Saturday, 6th June 2026 at the age of 68.
Some of the latest messages were received from the Consortium of Kwara Universities (Ku8+), the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University (TAU), Oko, Prof. Francisca O.Oladipo; a former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole; and the Kwara State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Sherifat F. Yusuf.
Some of the latest messages were received from the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+), the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University (TAU), Oko, Prof. Francisca O.Oladipo; a former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole; and the Kwara State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Sherifat F. Yusuf.
In its condolence message, the Consortium of Kwara Universities (KU8+) sympathised with Prof. Egbewole, who is also the Convener and Chairman of the group on the death of Prof Ambali.
In the letter, dated June 11, 2026 and signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Francisca O. Oladipo, a copy of which was made available to UNILORIN Bulletin, the Consortium described the late Prof. Ambali as “an accomplished scholar, an exemplary administrator and a distinguished statesman whose invaluable contributions to higher education, national development and humanity would remain imperishable”.
The KU8+, which is made up of all the universities operating in Kwara State, recalled Prof. Ambali’s legacy of selfless services as it also expressed conviction that his numerous contributions to national development would continue to inspire many for years to come.
The letter added that the late former Vice Chancellor’s remarkable leadership, wisdom, humility, kindness and unwavering commitment to excellence earned him the admiration and respect of his colleagues, mentees, students and associates across and beyond the country.
In her personal capacity, Prof. Francisca O. Oladipo, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University (TAU), Oko, described the death of Prof. Ambali as “a great loss not only to the University of Ilorin but also to the entire Nigerian University system.”
In her letter dated June 6, 2026, a copy of which was also made available to UNILORIN Bulletin last Friday (June 12, 2026), Prof. Oladipo said that the deceased, who was a great scholar and administrator, has left an indelible legacy of service, leadership and commitment to knowledge advancement.
While recalling his specific contributions, the TAU Vice Chancellor prayed to Allah to rest the gentle soul of the late Prof. Ambali in perfect peace.
Similarly, a former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Bamitale Omole, described the late Prof. Ambali as a close associate.
Prof. Omole noted that the death of the former UNILORIN Vice Chancellor is a big loss to the University of Ilorin and the Ilorin Emirate in general. He also acknowledged the fact that the demise of Prof. Ambali is also a sad and tragic personal loss to Prof. Egbewole as it is to the entire University of Ilorin community.
The former OAU Vice Chancellor recalled that he and the late Prof. Ambali were in office about the same period, a situation which enabled them to interact and work with each other as heads of their respective institutions. While recalling that he completed his tenure in 2016, he explained that Prof. Ambali rounded-off his own tenure as the Chief Executive of the University of Ilorin in 2017.
The Kwara State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr Sherifat F. Yusuf, also sympathised with Prof. Egbewole on the sudden death of Prof. Ambali.
In a condolence message sent to Prof. Egbewole, a copy of which was equally sighted by UNILORIN Bulletin, the CCB Director described the demise of Prof. Ambali as an irreparable loss not only to the University of Ilorin but also to the entire nation and humanity.
The CCB State Director prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late former Vice Chancellor and grant his soul Aljanat Fridaous.
