The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced the death of its Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, who was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau on Sunday.
The university disclosed his death in an official statement issued by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, Oladipo Adetayo Ajayi, on behalf of the institution.
According to the statement, Marafa died on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in what the university described as a “sudden and untimely” death.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” the Registry said in announcing the death.
The university said information available to it indicated that Marafa “was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau,” but did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Registry described Marafa as a “dedicated and committed staff member” who served the university meritoriously and held various positions of responsibility during his career.
He was appointed Bursar of NOUN in September 2022, a position the university said he assumed “with a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the University.”
Reacting to his death, the university described the deceased as a “distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family.”
The statement said the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students, extended condolences to Marafa’s immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and others mourning his death.
The university also prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus and give his family and the entire university community the fortitude to bear the loss.
NOUN said further details about the burial arrangements would be communicated as soon as they were released by the family.
The Registry concluded the condolence message with a prayer for the deceased, saying, “May his soul rest in perfect peace.”