The bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Nasiru Gusau Marafa, has died after he was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Oladipo Ajayi, registrar and secretary to the university’s governing council, announced Marafa’s death in a statement issued on Sunday.
“The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the University Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, which occurred today, Sunday, 6th September 2026,” the statement reads.
According to the university, information available to it indicated that Marafa was attacked while returning from Gusau.
“According to information available to the University, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau.”
Marafa was appointed bursar of NOUN on September 17, 2022, for a five-year tenure that was expected to run until September 2027.
Ajayi described Marafa as a committed and dedicated member of staff who served the university meritoriously and held several positions of responsibility during his career.
He said the university community had suffered a significant loss following Marafa’s death, describing him as “a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family.”
The registrar expressed condolences to Marafa’s immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and others affected by his death.
He added that details of the burial arrangements would be communicated after they were provided by the family.
“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, colleagues and the entire University community the strength to bear this painful loss,” the statement added.