The Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities (ABNU) has paid a condolence visit to the management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) over the demise of the university's Bursar, Late Malam Nasiru Marafa.
Leader of the delegation and President of the Association, Dr. Hadiza Goje, who led dozens of Bursars from the federal, state and private universities in the country on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, said until his death, Late Marafa was the Treasurer of the Association.
Mrs. Goje said they deemed it appropriate to come and pay their condolences, share in the grief as Marafa 's death shattered not only the university, but the association as well.
"It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of one of our own. His death came as a rude shock and we are yet to come to terms with it," Dr. Goje said.
She described his death as a life thwarted, as his life was cut short at a time his services were most needed.
Dr. Goje further described the late Bursar as a kind, gentle and amiable colleague who was always soft-spoken but firm in his convictions.
"We are here as a body to commiserate with ourselves, because this loss is both ours and yours," she said.
She thanked the management of NOUN for granting them the opportunity to pay their respects.
While praying the Almighty Allah to shower His mercy on the late Bursar, she thanked the NOUN management for receiving members of the association from all parts of Nigeria.
NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, while responding, thanked the association for the visit and expressed deep appreciation by the number of Bursars present.
Uduma, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research, Prof. Christine Ofulue, commended the association for their show of comradeship and the Chairperson in particular, for attending the university's Memorial Service in honour of the late Bursar last week.
"The shock of Nasiru's demise to me feels surreal. It is as if he has only travelled and he will come back. It is difficult to believe he is gone," the representative of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ofulue said.
She noted that this is the first time in the 25-year history of the university that a Principal Officer has passed on while in active service.
"This university has produced so many of your members and will continue to produce more," she added, assuring the association of NOUN's continued collaboration.
The DVC lamented the frequent loss of lives on the Gusau-Sokoto road axis and prayed for an end to such tragic occurrences.
"We are not promised tomorrow, so we should all live lives of impact before we eventually leave," she said.
Ofulue therefore called for the continued prayers from all and sundry "for our country to get better."
She expressed the university's appreciation with the large presence of the Bursars and for the visit, and prayed for the repose of the soul of Malam Marafa.
Ag. NOUN Bursar, Mrs. Ramatu Ibrahim offered the vote of thanks, thanking the visiting members for the visit.
Mrs, Ibrahim added that the lost of Malam Nasiru was not something they will ever recover from, urging the body to sonrinue to offer its professional support to members across the universities in Nigeria.
A minute of silence was observed in honour of the late NOUN Bursar, Malam Narisu Marafa.
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