WAEC Appoints Suleiman Kum as New Head of Nigeria National Office

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially appointed 56-year-old Suleiman Danlami Kum as the new Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO), succeeding Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, whose three-year tenure as head of the Nigerian national office ended on October 1, 2026.

Kum, who previously served as Deputy Registrar in the HNO’s office and Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, until the end of August, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His appointment was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Moyosola Adesina, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Nigeria, who described him as “a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive”. The appointment marks the culmination of a distinguished career within the council that began on July 17, 1998, when Kum joined as Assistant Registrar II.

Born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, Kum hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State. He completed his secondary education at Baptist High School, Jos, where he sat the General Certificate of Education in 1986 and 1987. He subsequently attended the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he earned a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 1992. Driven by a commitment to lifelong learning, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2025 and is currently completing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning at the same institution.

Throughout his 28-year career at WAEC, Kum has held several operational and administrative positions that have shaped his deep understanding of the council’s mandate. His previous postings include Assistant Registrar II and Head of Exams Security in Awka, Yola and Makurdi; Senior Assistant Registrar I and Branch Controller in Gusau; Principal Assistant Registrar and Branch Controller in Kano; Deputy Registrar and Head of the Security Printing Department; Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja; Director of Administration; and Senior Deputy Registrar for Test Administration. This extensive experience in test development, test administration, examination security, and branch and zonal office management has positioned him as a leader capable of navigating the complex demands of Nigeria’s foremost examinations body.

The council highlighted Kum’s role in pioneering several technological and administrative innovations. He was instrumental in introducing variable data printing and enhanced code-security features in security printing, as well as replacing council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices. He also led the delivery of Achievement Tests using the Computer-Based Examination mode, a significant step towards modernising the council’s assessment processes. According to the statement, Kum has demonstrated integrity, diligence and innovation throughout his career, and his leadership across various portfolios has earned him numerous institutional commendations, accolades and awards within and beyond the council.

Kum’s appointment follows the elevation of his predecessor, Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, to the position of Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of WAEC. Dangut, who previously served as the Head of the Nigerian National Office, assumed the role of the 14th Registrar of the council on October 1, 2026, for a five-year term extending to September 2031. His ascendancy to the council’s top position reflects Nigeria’s continued influence within the sub-regional body and underscores the depth of leadership talent within the Nigerian national office.

Kum’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for WAEC and Nigeria’s education sector. The council has faced persistent challenges, including examination malpractice, logistical constraints in reaching remote candidates, and the need to modernise assessment methods in an increasingly digital world. His demonstrated expertise in examination security and technological innovation will be essential as the council continues to implement reforms aimed at safeguarding the integrity of its examinations and improving service delivery to millions of candidates across Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region. His leadership is expected to prioritise the expansion of computer-based testing, the strengthening of security protocols, and the enhancement of operational efficiency across the council’s branch and zonal offices. With a career defined by a commitment to innovation and service, Kum is positioned to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor and steer WAEC Nigeria through a period of transformation and consolidation.