Education
Former UNILORIN VC Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali Dies at 68
Former UNILORIN VC Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali Dies at 68
ILORIN, Nigeria – Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) , has passed away at the age of 68. The renowned veterinary medicine scholar and distinguished university administrator died early Saturday morning, June 6, 2026, at his home in Oloje Estate, Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. In a statement issued by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, officially announced the death of the university’s 9th Vice-Chancellor, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON. The statement read: “Prof. Ambali, who headed the university from 2012 to 2017, died earlier this morning after a brief illness. He was 68.” According to family sources, Professor Ambali passed away around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday. The news came as a profound shock to his associates and the wider academic community, as he was not known to have been seriously ill prior to his death. In fact, he had comfortably attended the Isha’i (night) prayer at a nearby mosque just hours earlier on Friday night. While the university’s official statement noted that he died after a brief illness, family sources indicated he appeared to be in good spirits at the religious service hours before his passing.
Professor Egbewole described Ambali’s death as “a huge loss not only to the University of Ilorin and the Kwara State University, Malete, which he currently serves as Pro-Chancellor, but also to the entire nation and humanity.” The Vice-Chancellor, who has sympathized with the family of the great scholar and the people of the Ilorin Emirate, enjoined sympathizers, particularly members of the UNILORIN community, to attend the Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) for the late ex-Vice Chancellor at his Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin, by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026. At the time of his death, Ambali was actively serving as the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete — a role he took on after completing his impactful tenure at UNILORIN. His passing represents a significant loss to KWASU, where he was described by university officials as a committed, visionary leader who brought his decades of administrative experience to bear on the institution’s development.
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The late professor was born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State. He began his educational journey at Pakata Primary School, Ilorin, before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Jalingo (formerly known as McBride Secondary School) in Taraba State. His pursuit of higher education took him to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 1981. He later traveled to the United Kingdom, earning both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the prestigious University of Liverpool — a testament to his intellectual rigor and commitment to academic excellence. Ambali began his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Maiduguri in 1982, where he rose through the ranks and became a Professor of Veterinary Medicine in 1995. During his time at UNIMAID, he built a solid foundation as a researcher, educator, and mentor to countless students. He later joined the University of Ilorin, where he continued to distinguish himself, eventually rising to become the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the institution — a role that underscored his leadership in establishing and developing veterinary education at UNILORIN. Throughout his career spanning more than three decades, Professor Ambali mentored numerous scholars, supervised countless postgraduate students, and published more than 80 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals, contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in veterinary medicine and animal health.
Ambali served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017, succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede and later handing over to Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem at the end of his five-year tenure. His tenure is widely remembered for consolidating UNILORIN’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most stable, strike-free, and highly sought-after public universities. During his leadership, the institution maintained its tradition of uninterrupted academic calendars — a feat that set UNILORIN apart from many other federal universities in Nigeria that frequently grapple with industrial actions. In a November 2025 interview on UNILORIN 89.3FM, Ambali reflected on the institution’s unique attributes, proudly noting that it is the only public university that ran its academic calendar for more than two decades without any form of disruption. He also stated that discipline among staff and students remained one of the most significant attributes that make the institution unique, explaining that parents and families often admired remarkable positive differences in their children as soon as they were matriculated. These changes, he said, ranged from dressing, manners, and general dispositions to life compared to what was visible in them before becoming “Unilorites.” In a 2017 interview with Vanguard News, Ambali reflected on his leadership philosophy, describing himself as a democrat who believes in the rule of law and the will of the majority. “My mandate is to look after the interest of everybody, academic or non-teaching staff,” he stated, explaining his approach to navigating the complex politics of university administration. Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Ambali also served as Chairman of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU) , demonstrating his influence in regional higher education development and his commitment to fostering collaboration among universities across West Africa.
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In recognition of his immense contributions to education and national development, the Federal Government conferred upon him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) — one of Nigeria’s prestigious civilian awards. He was also a recipient of the Distinguished Veterinarian Award in 2013 by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession in Nigeria. Professor Ambali was a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria (FCVSN) , a distinction he earned in 2009 after becoming a Member (MCVSN) in 2004. He also held fellowships with the Science Association of Nigeria (SAN) , the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria , and the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria. His professional service included roles as a member of the National Universities Commission (NUC) , the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) , and the Department of Livestock Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, where he participated in the accreditation of several institutions and agencies.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the academic community and beyond, with the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) describing his demise as a painful, irreparable loss to both the Emirate and the nation. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Suleiman Shuaib Dagbo, the union expressed deep sadness, describing Professor Ambali as “a complete patriot and perfect gentleman” who served humanity with absolute humility and dedication. The IEDPU noted that beyond his academic feats, the late professor was an active community leader, having served as the chairman of the union’s Maiduguri branch and presiding over the opening ceremony of its 2018 national conference. “His death is not only a terrible blow but an incident that diminishes the people of the Ilorin Emirate,” the statement read. The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, also expressed deep sadness over the death. In a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir described the late Professor Ambali as an erudite scholar, accomplished administrator, and pride of the Ilorin Emirate whose contributions to education and national development were immense and enduring. Alhaji Sulu-Gambari added: “Professor Ambali was a man of uncommon intellect, humility, and discipline. As Vice-Chancellor, he repositioned the University of Ilorin as a centre of academic excellence and stability. His tenure was marked by peace, growth, and global recognition for the institution. He served Ilorin, Kwara State, and Nigeria with distinction. He was a worthy ambassador of the Emirate who never detached himself from his roots, community, and people. His counsel on matters of education, religion, and community development was always thoughtful and invaluable.” The monarch extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended family of the deceased, the academic communities of both the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, Malete, as well as the entire Ilorin Emirate over this painful loss.
For readers seeking a quick summary of the key details, the following information has been confirmed. Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali was born on November 29, 1957, in Ilorin, Kwara State, and died on June 6, 2026, at age 68. He earned his DVM from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981 and his Master’s and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liverpool. He served as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2012 to 2017, where he consolidated the institution’s reputation as a strike-free university. At the time of his death, he was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State University, Malete. He was a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and a Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria (FCVSN). He was also the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UNILORIN. His Janazah is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at his residence in Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin.
Former UNILORIN VC Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali Dies at 68
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Education
LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury
LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury
A disturbing incident involving a mother, her daughter and a fellow student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, has triggered reactions after a video of an alleged assault circulated widely on social media.
The incident reportedly involved Adebayo Oluwatumininu, a 300-level Nursing student, who was allegedly assaulted by the mother of her roommate, Hassan Temiloluwa, a Physiotherapy student.
The Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on September 2, 2026, saying the confrontation left Oluwatumininu with an injury to her eye.
Following the incident, officials of the students’ union at the Ikeja Campus reportedly intervened and took the student to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention.
The incident attracted widespread public attention after a video showing part of the confrontation was shared on social media.
In the footage, an older woman is seen confronting the student inside a room before the encounter escalates into physical violence. The circumstances leading to the confrontation, however, remain the subject of competing claims.
Reports circulating online have alleged that the woman accused the student of slapping her, while other accounts have made different claims about how the physical confrontation began.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and the LASU Students’ Union did not publicly establish who initiated the physical altercation or provide a complete account of what happened before the incident captured in the video.
The students’ union said the seriousness of the incident became apparent after Oluwatumininu sustained an eye injury and was taken to LASUTH for treatment.
A medical assessment is expected to provide further information about the extent of the student’s injury.
The response to the incident reportedly involved LASU management, the university’s Centre for Gender-Based and Sexual Violence, students’ union officials and members of the affected student’s family.
The matter has also attracted police attention, with the mother of the Physiotherapy student reportedly taken into custody over allegations of physical assault and threats.
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The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether any criminal offence was committed.
Meanwhile, the university is separately examining the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Hassan Temiloluwa.
According to the students’ union, the student is expected to appear before the LASU University Disciplinary Committee in line with the institution’s established procedures.
The union did not publicly disclose the specific allegations against the student or indicate what sanctions, if any, she could face.
Her appearance before the disciplinary committee should therefore not be interpreted as a finding of guilt, as the university process is intended to examine the circumstances and allow the parties involved to present their accounts.
LASUSU condemned the alleged use of violence in resolving disputes and stressed the importance of using appropriate channels to address disagreements within the university community.
The statement was signed by the 37th LASUSU President, Olipehin Ahmad Rufai, and the union’s Public Relations Officer, Jinadu Jamiu Ademola.
The students’ union also commended the university management, the Centre for Gender-Based and Sexual Violence and others who intervened following the incident.
The case has generated a wider discussion about the role of parents when their children become involved in disputes at tertiary institutions.
While parents may understandably become concerned when their children face disagreements or conflicts, universities typically have established procedures for handling disputes involving students.
In the LASU incident, an alleged disagreement between students reportedly escalated into an altercation involving an adult, resulting in an alleged eye injury, medical treatment, police intervention and a university disciplinary process.
Several important questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.
It has not been independently established what initially triggered the disagreement between the two students, why the mother went to the hostel or what occurred immediately before the confrontation recorded in the viral video.
There are also conflicting accounts on social media regarding who initiated the physical confrontation.
What the students’ union has confirmed is that an altercation occurred, Oluwatumininu sustained an injury, she received medical attention, the police became involved and the university initiated its disciplinary process.
The police investigation and the university’s proceedings are expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances of the incident.
The case remains under investigation, and allegations against the individuals involved have not been finally established by a court or other competent authority.
The development also underscores the importance of resolving disputes within university communities through established institutional and legal channels rather than through physical confrontation.
As the matter progresses, further information from LASU management, the police, the university disciplinary committee and the courts, where applicable, could clarify the events surrounding the alleged assault.
Newstrends.ng will continue to monitor developments in the case and provide updates as further verified information emerges.
LASU: Mother allegedly assaults daughter’s roommate, student rushed to LASUTH with eye injury
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Education
Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes
Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes
Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos, has secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence academic operations and admit students for the 2026/2027 academic session into six health professional programmes, including Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Nursing Science.
The approval clears the way for the newly established university to admit qualified candidates into Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D), Nursing Science (B.N.Sc), Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) and Radiography (B.Rad).
The NUC approval followed a comprehensive resource verification exercise during which a team of professors and specialists assessed the university’s academic programmes, infrastructure, laboratories, library resources and faculty strength.
With the approval, Regnum Medical University joins the growing number of institutions seeking to expand Nigeria’s capacity for training doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals at a time when the country faces a significant shortage of skilled healthcare manpower.
A statement by the university obtained on Friday says for the 2026/2027 academic session, it will admit students into:
1. Medicine and Surgery – MBBS
2. Doctor of Pharmacy – Pharm.D
3. Nursing Science – B.N.Sc
4. Medical Laboratory Science – BMLS
5. Doctor of Physiotherapy – DPT
6. Radiography – B.Rad
These programmes, it adds, were carefully selected to align with national health priorities and are designed to meet global best practices in medical training. Each course combines intensive classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training to produce graduates who are competent, compassionate, and ready to serve.
Regnum Medical University is located in Anthony, a central and secure part of Lagos. The location at Anthony is about 5-10 mins drive to both the International Airport and the Local Airport and is accessible from Maryland, Palmgrove, Ikeja, Oshodi, and a straight drive from the Lagos Island.
According to the statement, the campus has been structured to support modern education in the health professions.
Facilities include adequate lecture room facilities, state-of-the-art basic science, basic medical science and basic clinical science laboratories, simulation centres, digital library, ICT centres, rehabilitation facilities and air-conditioned hostels.
To drive and implement the various health professions curricula, the university has assembled a team of highly qualified and experienced academic faculty.
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This will ensure that students receive instruction from professionals with both academic depth and real-world clinical experience. Leading this team of erudite professionals and serving as pioneer Vice-Chancellor is Professor Akin Osibogun, a Professor of Community Medicine, who has been Chief Medical Director at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for eight (8) years, and former President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor will be supported by other astute and renowned Professors in the Health Professions.
Speaking on the development, the Vice-Chancellor said, “Our goal is to create an environment where learning meets practice,” a university spokesperson said. “We are committed to training healthcare professionals who can compete anywhere in the world.”
Understanding that medicine is best learned at the bedside, for strong clinical practices, Regnum Medical University has secured agreements with hospitals under the Lagos State Health Service Commission (LSHSC) for clinical training and affiliations.
This affiliation ensures that Regnum Medical University graduates will not only be academically sound but also clinically competent and familiar with Nigeria’s healthcare system.
To support student welfare, the university provides comfortable hostels with air-conditioned rooms. The hostels are designed to create a conducive living and learning environment, with 24-hour power, water supply, internet access, and security. Other amenities include a cafeteria, recreation areas, and transport services to and from clinical training sites.
The establishment of Regnum Medical University comes at a critical time when Nigeria faces a shortage of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health professionals.
By expanding access to quality medical education, the university aims to bridge this gap and reduce medical tourism.
With this development, applications for admission into the six programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session are now open to qualified candidates from Nigeria and other countries.
Prospective students with the required UTME and O’Level qualifications in the sciences are encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited.
Further information can be obtained directly from the University at its campus :Regnum Medical University, 326-330 Ikorodu Road, Anthony, Lagos OR by visiting the University website at regnummed.edu.ng or follow @RegnumMedicalUniversity on social media.
The university will also hold physical and virtual admission counseling sessions for parents and prospective students in the coming weeks. Details will be announced on the university’s official website and social media pages.
Regnum Medical University, Anthony, Lagos is a private university dedicated to excellence in health sciences education, research, and service. Admissions are ongoing.
“Apply today and begin your journey to becoming a competent and confident health professional.”
Regnum Medical University Opens Admission, Gets NUC Nod for Six Health Programmes
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Education
I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister
I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed that he repeatedly received leaked NECO examination questions during the 2025 examination period, describing the experience as one of the “hardest” periods of his life.
Alausa made the disclosure while speaking at a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other stakeholders in the education sector, where he warned that widespread examination malpractice was threatening the credibility of Nigeria’s public examination system.
The minister said he was regularly sent examination questions before candidates were scheduled to sit for the papers and that officials were sometimes able to confirm that the leaked materials matched the questions for that particular day.
According to Alausa, the experience highlighted the seriousness of the problem and showed that examination malpractice could not be treated as an issue involving students alone.
He said the practice had been tolerated in Nigeria for years, creating an unfair system in which students who prepared genuinely for examinations could be disadvantaged by candidates who gained unauthorised access to examination materials.
“It’s sad. Before she and I came, the acceptance of examination malpractice, cheating and examination leakages in this country was mind-boggling, and the country accepted it. It was a nightmare,” Alausa said.
He warned that the continued prevalence of examination malpractice could eventually influence honest students to cheat because of the pressure to compete with candidates who had access to examination questions in advance.
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“The danger was that the good students would also become bad,” he said.
Alausa also alleged that NECO examination questions had previously been obtained and sold for as little as N3,000 before the examinations.
While recounting the situation, the minister referred to Ibrahim Wushishi, a former Registrar of the National Examinations Council, and described how the name “Wushishi” was allegedly used in connection with a platform where examination questions could be obtained.
“They bought this question for N3,000. That was it. Before the examination. They called him Wushishi and bought the questions for N3,000 before the examination,” Alausa said.
The minister’s account, however, does not by itself establish that Wushishi personally sold examination questions. His remarks were made while explaining what he described as the system through which leaked examination materials were allegedly obtained.
Recounting events during the 2025 NECO examinations, Alausa said he was frequently alerted to examination questions that had allegedly been circulated before the scheduled papers.
He said the messages often arrived early in the morning, forcing him to seek immediate verification from examination officials.
“During that examination period, during the hardest time of my life, I was always worried, waking up. I would wake up to her text. She would send questions to me,” he said.
According to the minister, the materials included questions for subjects such as English and Chemistry.
He said he would forward the questions to the relevant official for verification, adding that he was sometimes told that the questions being circulated were indeed the same ones candidates were scheduled to answer that day.
“It could be English or Chemistry. I was always waking up with trepidation every morning, doing work. I would send it to the HNO and ask, ‘HNO, is this correct?’ And the answer I got was, ‘Unfortunately, that’s the question we’re doing today,’” Alausa said.
He explained that the verification process enabled authorities to establish whether the materials circulating online or through private channels were genuine examination papers.
“So, that was a more aggressive intervention because we were seeing the question and confirming from the other side,” the minister said.
Alausa said the experience convinced him that tackling examination malpractice in Nigeria required a coordinated response involving all parts of the education system.
He specifically warned parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals, invigilators and students against participating in or facilitating practices that could compromise public examinations.
The minister argued that students should not be viewed as the only source of the problem because adults within the education system could play a major role in creating opportunities for examination malpractice.
“You might be in that isolated school, but the school system is also involved. In fact, I don’t blame the students that much. Any child can be bad,” he said.
“But when we have an ecosystem where parents, schools, teachers, invigilators and principals are in full connivance, the students are the smallest players. The people who should put the deterrents in place are the ones involved.”
The minister said the Federal Government was working to strengthen measures designed to protect the integrity of public examinations in Nigeria, stressing that certificates should reflect genuine academic performance rather than access to leaked questions or unauthorised assistance.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also called on private school proprietors and other stakeholders to support efforts to eliminate examination malpractice.
Ahmad raised concerns about students who perform exceptionally well in internal school examinations but struggle during external examinations, saying this could be an indication that some students had become dependent on unfair assistance.
She urged schools to complete their curricula on time and encourage students to prepare adequately for examinations instead of relying on leaked questions.
The government is also promoting measures such as serialised examination questions, which are intended to make it more difficult for candidates to benefit from leaked papers and other forms of examination malpractice.
The introduction of stronger examination safeguards is part of broader efforts to restore confidence in the country’s examination system and ensure that academic qualifications are based on genuine knowledge and ability.
The minister’s disclosure has renewed concerns over the security of NECO examination papers, particularly the processes involved in preparing, storing, transporting and administering examination questions.
Alausa maintained that tackling the problem would require collective responsibility, warning that examination malpractice undermines students who study and prepare honestly while weakening public confidence in the certificates awarded by Nigeria’s examination bodies.
He therefore urged parents, schools, teachers, examination officials and students to support efforts to restore integrity to the country’s public examinations.
The minister’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to push for reforms aimed at improving standards across Nigeria’s education sector and strengthening accountability within the examination process.
I woke up daily to leaked NECO questions during 2025 exams — Minister
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