- As He Receives Overwhelming Commendations
By Abdulrahman Aliagan,
The newly established AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University (AATU), Ganmo, Kwara State, continues to gain traction and admiration within academic and community circles, following the appointment of Professor AbdulRauf Ambali as its Pioneer Acting Vice-Chancellor. The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulatory messages from across the academic spectrum and Ilorin Emirate stakeholders, affirming the institution’s strategic start and bright future.
A seasoned academic and administrator, Professor Ambali currently serves as the Dean, Student Affairs at Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and is well-respected for his unwavering commitment to education, leadership, and community development. His appointment as AATU’s Vice-Chancellor is seen as a significant and symbolic move to lay a solid foundation for the fledgling university.
Among the early congratulatory messages is that of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU). In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Nurudeen Ibrahim, the National President, Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik, described the appointment as well-deserved. He praised Professor Ambali’s academic depth, administrative acumen, and personal integrity, urging him to leverage the opportunity to set a strong academic tone for AATU.
“This is an opportunity that must be effectively used to advance learning and human development,” Alhaji Abdulmalik noted, while thanking the university’s authorities for entrusting such a critical role to a distinguished son of the soil.
Also, the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, KWASU, under the leadership of Dr. Rahman Mustapha, Acting Dean, hailed the appointment as a monumental achievement not only for Prof. Ambali but for the entire academic community. The faculty highlighted his visionary leadership, academic rigor, and dedication to national educational growth, expressing confidence in his capacity to foster excellence, innovation, and impactful scholarship at AATU.
Similarly, the Ilorin Emirate Community at KWASU expressed immense pride in one of their own. In a passionate message of felicitation, the community stated, “His appointment comes as no surprise,” emphasizing his tireless work as a mentor, administrator, and advocate for both students and the larger Ilorin community. The statement, signed by the Secretary of the Emirate Community, further prayed for divine guidance and called on all members of the community to support Prof. Ambali in his new endeavor.
Not left out, the Department of Politics and Governance, KWASU, also added its voice, noting that the appointment is a fitting reward for a man whose academic journey has been marked by excellence, leadership, and vision. The department expressed confidence that AATU will greatly benefit from his vast experience and prayed for continued success in his new role.
The establishment of AATU marks a significant milestone in the expansion of access to quality tertiary education in Nigeria. Positioned in Ganmo, Kwara State, the university is conceived as a center of excellence dedicated to nurturing future leaders and innovators. With the appointment of Professor Ambali, a well-regarded scholar and administrator, AATU signals its commitment to global best practices and community-driven academic growth.
As congratulatory messages continue to pour in, one thing is certain: AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University is off to a stellar start, buoyed by a leadership team rooted in excellence and a community rallying behind a shared vision for educational advancement.
The glowing commendations that have followed Prof. Ambali’s appointment are not merely ceremonial—they are a powerful endorsement of AATU’s promise as a rising institution committed to transforming lives through knowledge, research, and service.
Indeed, the journey has just begun, but all signs point to a great future for AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University under the capable leadership of Professor AbdulRauf Ambali.
