Ambrose Alli

Early Life and Background

Ambrose Folorunsho Alli was born on September 22, 1929, in Ibie, located within the Esan North-East Local Government Area of what was then Bendel State, and is now part of Edo State, Nigeria. He hailed from a humble background, which deeply influenced his later commitment to public service and the upliftment of the common people. His early life was characterized by a strong emphasis on education, a value instilled by his family and the community around him. Growing up in a period of significant socio-political change in Nigeria, Alli developed a profound understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary citizens, particularly regarding access to essential services like education and healthcare.

Education

Professor Alli's educational journey was extensive and highly distinguished, laying the foundation for his professional and political careers. He began his formal education at St. Mary's Catholic School in Oka, Ondo State, where he received his primary schooling. For his secondary education, he attended the prestigious Immaculate Conception College in Benin City, then the capital of Bendel Province, where he excelled academically. Following his secondary studies, Alli pursued further education at the School of Agriculture in Ibadan from 1948 to 1950, earning a Diploma in Agriculture. This early exposure to agricultural science demonstrated his diverse intellectual interests.

His passion for science and human welfare led him to pursue a career in medicine. He enrolled at the University College Ibadan (which later became the University of Ibadan) from 1953 to 1955 for his preliminary science courses. He then proceeded to study medicine at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, a constituent college of the University of London at the time, from 1955 to 1960. He successfully obtained his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS) degrees, marking the beginning of his illustrious medical career. Driven by a quest for specialized knowledge, Alli continued his postgraduate studies in Pathology, specializing in Forensic Pathology, at the University of London in the United Kingdom. This advanced training equipped him with rare and critical expertise that he later brought back to Nigeria.

Career

Upon completing his medical and postgraduate training, Professor Alli embarked on a career that spanned both academia and public service. He initially worked as a medical doctor and then joined the academic staff of the University of Ibadan as a lecturer. His expertise in pathology was highly valued, and he soon transitioned to the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where he rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Pathology. At UNIBEN, he was not only a distinguished academic but also played a significant role in the development of the university's medical faculty, contributing to the training of numerous medical professionals.

Professor Alli's foray into politics was driven by a deep conviction to serve his people and implement policies that would improve their quality of life. He joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), a progressive political party founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which advocated for free education, free health services, integrated rural development, and full employment. In the lead-up to Nigeria's return to civilian rule in 1979, Professor Alli emerged as the UPN gubernatorial candidate for Bendel State. Following a keenly contested election, he was elected as the first civilian Governor of Bendel State, taking office on October 1, 1979. His tenure as governor lasted until October 1983.

His governorship was marked by ambitious and far-reaching policies focused on human capital development. However, his political career was abruptly cut short when the military intervened, overthrowing the civilian government on December 31, 1983. Like many other politicians of the Second Republic, Professor Alli was arrested and detained by the military regime of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon. He was subsequently tried by a military tribunal on charges of corruption, specifically for allegedly enriching the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) with 983,000 Naira. He was convicted and sentenced to 100 years in prison. His imprisonment, widely seen as politically motivated and harsh, sparked outrage among many who viewed him as a selfless leader. He was eventually released from prison in 1988 due to severe ill health, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Major Achievements

Professor Ambrose Alli's tenure as the Governor of Bendel State (1979-1983) is widely remembered for its transformative achievements, particularly in the social sectors:

Education

His most iconic achievement was the implementation of a comprehensive free education policy at all levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary – throughout Bendel State. This policy removed financial barriers to education for thousands of children and young adults. To support this initiative, his administration undertook the massive construction of numerous new primary and secondary schools across the state, expanding access to education exponentially. He also recruited a large number of teachers to meet the increased demand. A landmark achievement was the establishment of the Bendel State University in Ekpoma in 1981, which was later renamed Ambrose Alli University in his honour. This university was designed to provide quality higher education to the teeming population of the state, ensuring that even the poorest citizens could aspire to university degrees. To cope with the overwhelming student numbers, his administration innovatively introduced a shift system in schools.

Healthcare

Professor Alli's administration also introduced free medical services for all citizens of Bendel State. This policy aimed to make healthcare accessible to everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic status. To actualize this, he embarked on an ambitious program of building and upgrading numerous hospitals and health centers across the state. This included the construction of new general hospitals in various local government areas and the enhancement of existing medical facilities, significantly improving the healthcare infrastructure and service delivery in Bendel State.

Infrastructure

Beyond social services, Alli's government made significant strides in infrastructure development. His administration initiated and completed extensive road construction projects, connecting rural communities to urban centers and facilitating trade and movement. Rural electrification programs were vigorously pursued, bringing electricity to many previously underserved areas and stimulating economic activities. Additionally, his government invested heavily in water supply projects, ensuring access to potable water for a larger segment of the population, thereby improving public health and living conditions.

Agriculture

Recognizing the importance of food security and rural development, Professor Alli's administration also promoted agricultural development through various initiatives. These programs aimed to boost food production, support local farmers, and create employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Civil Service

Professor Alli also paid considerable attention to the welfare of the state's workforce. His administration implemented policies that improved the conditions of service for civil servants, ensuring a motivated and efficient public sector dedicated to implementing government programs.

Personal Life

Professor Ambrose Alli was married to Chief Mrs. Rosemary Alli, who stood by him through his distinguished career and challenging times. Together, they raised a family, including a notable son, Dr. Mark Alli, who has also contributed to society. Alli was known for his personal integrity, humility, and simple lifestyle, despite holding high office. He was an intellectual, a dedicated medical professional, and a compassionate leader whose personal values aligned strongly with his public policies. His commitment to the common good was evident throughout his life. His final years were marked by ill health following his release from imprisonment, and he passed away on his 60th birthday, September 22, 1989, in Lagos, Nigeria, succumbing to prostate cancer.

Legacy

Professor Ambrose Alli's legacy is profound and multifaceted. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader and a true champion of the masses. His most enduring legacy is undoubtedly the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, which was renamed in his honour by the state government in 1991, two years after his death. This institution stands as a living testament to his unwavering commitment to education.

He remains a powerful symbol of selfless public service and dedication to the welfare of the ordinary citizen. His pioneering policies on universal free education and free healthcare, though financially challenging for the state at the time, laid crucial foundations for human capital development in the region. Many beneficiaries of his free education policy went on to achieve great success in various fields, contributing significantly to Nigeria's development. Despite the political persecution he faced, his reputation for integrity and genuine concern for the populace has been largely rehabilitated, and he is now celebrated as one of Nigeria's most progressive and impactful governors. His life story continues to inspire, representing a rare blend of academic brilliance, professional excellence, and principled political leadership focused on the betterment of society.