The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced the sudden and untimely death of its Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, who was shot by bandits while returning from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, this evening.
The university disclosed the incident in an official statement issued this Sunday, September 6, 2026, by its Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr Oladipo Adetayo Ajayi.
According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students of the university, expressed deep regret over the death of the Bursar.
“According to information available to the University, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau,” the statement said.
The late Marafa was described as a dedicated and committed staff member who served the university meritoriously and occupied various positions of responsibility and authority during his career.
He was appointed Bursar of the NOUN in September 2022 and was said to have assumed the position with a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the institution.
His death, the university said, represented a profound loss to the NOUN community.
“The entire University community mourns the passing of a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family,” the statement added.
NOUN extended its condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his relatives, friends, colleagues and all those affected by the loss.
The university also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the family and the entire university community the strength and fortitude to bear what it described as an irreparable loss.
“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 said.
The university said further information regarding the burial arrangements would be communicated as soon as details were released by the family.
The New Citizen, however, learnt later that Marafa was buried this evening in Gusau according to Muslim rites.
