SULEIMAN KUM EMERGES NEW FACE OF WAEC NIGERIA

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has appointed Suleiman Danlami Kum as the new Head of its Nigeria National Office, succeeding Dr Amos Josiah Dangut, who has moved to the council’s top executive position as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer.

Kum’s appointment places an experienced WAEC administrator at the head of the council’s Nigerian operations after nearly three decades of service within the organisation.

KUM’S LONG CAREER AT WAEC

Kum joined WAEC on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II and gradually rose through several administrative, examination and security-related positions.

Before his latest appointment, he served as Senior Deputy Registrar responsible for Test Administration and previously worked in the office of the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

His earlier assignments included responsibilities in examination security, branch and zonal administration, security printing and general administration.

He has worked in locations including Awka, Yola, Makurdi, Gusau, Kano, Port Harcourt and Ikeja.

TECHNOLOGY AND EXAMINATION SECURITY

WAEC highlighted Kum’s involvement in several administrative and technological initiatives during his career.

Among them were innovations in security printing, the use of facial-recognition biometric attendance systems and the delivery of achievement tests through computer-based examinations.

The council described him as an experienced test developer, administrator and executive with expertise covering examination security, test administration, branch management and zonal operations.

His appointment therefore comes at a time when examination bodies face increasing pressure to strengthen examination security and adapt assessment systems to technological changes.

DANGUT MOVES TO WAEC’S TOP EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Kum succeeds Dangut, whose tenure as Head of the Nigeria National Office ended on October 1, 2026.

Dangut has since assumed office as WAEC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Pateh Bah of The Gambia. He is expected to oversee WAEC’s operations across its member countries during his five-year tenure.

The leadership transition therefore represents both a change at the Nigerian office and a broader reshuffling at the top of the regional examination body.

WHAT KUM’S APPOINTMENT MEANS

As Head of the Nigeria National Office, Kum will be responsible for the council’s Nigerian operations at a time when examination integrity, technology, security and public confidence remain central issues.

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WAEC conducts major examinations that affect millions of Nigerian students, making the administration of its Nigerian office particularly significant to the country’s education system.

Kum’s long institutional experience gives him familiarity with the council’s examination procedures and operational structures as he takes over the Nigerian office, ValidViewNetwork reports.

The transition also underscores the importance of institutional experience and continuity in an examination system where credibility depends heavily on security, fairness and public trust.