By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, OON, a renowned academic, accomplished administrator, and former Chairman of the Board’s Virtue Vanguard Group.
In a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board described Professor Ambali as an exceptional patriot whose commitment to excellence, integrity, and selfless service left an enduring legacy in Nigeria’s educational sector.
As Chairman of the Virtue Vanguard Group, one of JAMB’s key examination monitoring and quality assurance teams, Professor Ambali provided exemplary leadership that significantly enhanced the credibility, transparency, and integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Board noted that his contributions extended far beyond routine oversight, describing him as a mentor, a voice of reason, and a steadfast advocate of ethical standards in examination administration.
“His wisdom, dedication, and unwavering commitment to due process played a vital role in strengthening public confidence in the UTME. The remarkable improvements recorded in the conduct of the examination over the years bear testimony to the collective efforts of committed stakeholders such as Professor Ambali, whose passion for educational advancement remained unwavering until his last days,” the statement said.
JAMB further paid tribute to the late scholar’s outstanding contributions to national development, recalling his distinguished tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and his reputation as a respected statesman whose counsel was consistently guided by the national interest.
According to the Board, Professor Ambali’s death represents a significant loss not only to the educational community but also to the nation at large and all those who benefited from his wealth of knowledge and experience.
“While we mourn his passing, we take solace in the enduring legacy of integrity, diligence, humility, and selfless service that he leaves behind,” the statement added.
The Registrar, management, and staff of JAMB extended their heartfelt condolences to the family of the late professor, the Government and people of Kwara State, the management and staff of the University of Ilorin, and the broader academic community.
The Board also prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and give his family, friends, colleagues, and associates the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
