Gunmen have reportedly shot dead Nasiru Marafa, the Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria, in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.
The institution announced this in an official notice issued by Oladipo Ajayi, Registrar and Secretary to Council, on Sunday.
Ajayi added that Marafa was reportedly shot by the gunmen while returning from Gusau, but the university did not elaborate on the circumstances of the occurrence.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” the university stated in announcing the death of the bursar.
The statement read, “The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff, and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria, regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the University Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, which occurred today, Sunday, 6th September 2026.”
NOUN described Marafa as a “dedicated and committed staff member” who served the institution meritoriously and held various positions of responsibility during his career.
It stated that he was appointed Bursar of NOUN in September 2022 and assumed the position with “a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the University.”
The statement added, “The entire university community mourns the passing of a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator, and valued member of the NOUN family.”
The institution expressed its condolences to his immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues, and all who mourned his demise.
According to the statement, more information on the burial plans will be given once the family has disclosed specifics.
The university prayed to “Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and give his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire university community the strength to bear his loss.”
Attempts to obtain a response from the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Yazid, were futile because his phone line was unavailable at the time of filing this report.
