The National Open University of Nigeria has lost its bursar, Nasiru Gusau Marafa, after he was shot dead in Zamfara State. The university said Marafa was fatally wounded while returning from Gusau, the state capital, and his death was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Oladipo Ajayi.
The university’s statement conveyed condolences from the Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council, management, senate, staff and students, and described Marafa’s passing as sudden and untimely. Ajayi paid tribute to Marafa as a dedicated administrator who served the institution meritoriously and occupied several positions of responsibility during his career.
Marafa was appointed Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria on September 17, 2022, to a five-year term set to expire in September 2027. His tenure was therefore still in progress at the time of his death, leaving a senior administrative vacancy at the distance-learning university.
The university said it will inform the community about burial arrangements once the family issues its plan. The statement extended sympathies to Marafa’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider university community.
The circumstances of the shooting were not further detailed in the university release, and the institution did not include information about any investigation or arrests in the statement. For now, NOUN faces the immediate task of managing leadership continuity while the family and university finalise funeral arrangements.
