The West African Examinations Council has officially confirmed the appointment of 56-year-old Suleiman Kum as the new Head of the Nigeria National Office, succeeding Dr Amos Dangut, whose three-year tenure ended on 1 October 2026.
Kum’s appointment was announced by WAEC Nigeria on Sunday, 4 October 2026, following earlier reports that he had emerged as Dangut’s successor.
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The new Head of the Nigeria National Office brings nearly three decades of experience within WAEC, having joined the council on 17 July 1998 as Assistant Registrar II.
Before his appointment, Kum served as Deputy Registrar in the Head Office of the Nigeria National Office and later as Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, a position he held until the end of August.
WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs in Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, described Kum as “a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive”, highlighting his extensive experience across several areas of the council’s operations.
Over the course of his career, Kum has held positions covering examination security, test development, examination administration, security printing, branch management, zonal coordination and general administration.
His professional journey began in examination security, where he served as Assistant Registrar II and Head of Examinations Security in Awka.
He later served as Assistant Registrar I and Head of Examinations Security in Yola and Makurdi, giving him experience in managing examination security operations across different parts of the country.
Kum subsequently became Senior Assistant Registrar I and Branch Controller in Gusau before taking on the role of Principal Assistant Registrar and Branch Controller in Kano.
His career later expanded into senior management responsibilities. He served as Deputy Registrar and Head of the Security Printing Department, where he was involved in efforts aimed at strengthening the integrity and security of WAEC examination materials.
He also served as Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and later as Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator in Ikeja.
Kum went on to serve as Director of Administration before taking up the position of Senior Deputy Registrar responsible for Test Administration.
WAEC said his career had been characterised by administrative and technological innovations, including the introduction of Variable Data Printing and enhanced code-security features in security printing.
The council also credited him with helping to replace its council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices.
Another significant part of his record was his involvement in the delivery of Achievement Tests through the Computer-Based Examination mode.
WAEC said Kum also played a role in establishing its Gusau office as a Custodial Centre, reflecting his involvement in strengthening the management and security of examination materials.
The council said his experience had given him extensive knowledge of test development, test administration, examination security, as well as branch and zonal office management.
“Throughout his eventful career, Mr Kum has shown integrity, diligence, innovation and a strong commitment to service,” WAEC said in the statement announcing his appointment.
The council added that Kum’s leadership across several portfolios had earned him “numerous institutional commendations, accolades and awards within the Council and beyond”.
Kum’s appointment follows the completion of Dangut’s three-year tenure as Head of the Nigeria National Office.
Dangut has now assumed office as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of WAEC, moving from the Nigeria National Office to the council’s top executive position.
The leadership transition gives Kum responsibility for WAEC’s Nigeria operations at a time when the examination body is continuing to expand technology-driven assessment while maintaining examination security and public confidence in its processes.
Kum’s background is particularly broad for the role. His experience has taken him from frontline examination security and branch administration to senior-level responsibilities in technology, security printing, administration and test management.
His academic background is also rooted in education. Kum holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning at the university.
The new WAEC Nigeria head hails from Plateau State.
His appointment represents a return to the leadership of the Nigeria National Office by a long-serving WAEC professional with extensive knowledge of the council’s internal systems and operations.
With nearly 28 years of service behind him, Kum now takes charge of the Nigeria National Office as the council seeks to balance established examination standards with technological changes in assessment, security and administration.
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His immediate leadership will be closely watched as WAEC continues to manage examination delivery across Nigeria, strengthen the security of its processes and respond to the changing demands of students, schools and other stakeholders in the country’s education system.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
