JUST IN: WAEC appoints new head of Nigeria office

The West African Examinations Council has officially announced the appointment of 56-year-old Suleiman Kum as the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

Before his appointment, Kum was the Deputy Registrar in the HNO’s office and served as the council’s Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, until the end of August.

The PUNCH had reported on Friday that Kum had emerged as the new HNO.

He succeeds Dr Amos Dangut, whose three-year tenure expired on October 1, 2026. Dangut has since assumed office as Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of WAEC.

In a statement on Sunday, the Head of Public Affairs, WAEC Nigeria, Moyosola Adesina, described the new HNO as “a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive” who joined the council on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II.

Kum was particularly noted for pioneering “Variable Data Printing and enhanced code-security features in security printing, replacing council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices and leading the seamless delivery of Achievement Tests using the Computer-Based Examination mode.”

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The statement added that he had extensive knowledge of test development, test administration, examination security, and branch and zonal office management.

“Throughout his career, he has driven administrative and technological innovations, including establishing the Gusau office as a Custodial Centre,” it stated.

Kum, who hails from Plateau State, 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 NOUN.

The statement said Kum had served in various key operational capacities, including Assistant Registrar II/Head, Exams Security, Awka; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Yola; Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Makurdi; Senior Assistant Registrar I/Branch Controller, Gusau; Principal Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller, Kano.

He also served as Deputy Registrar/Head, Security Printing Department; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt; Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja; Director of Administration; and Senior Deputy Registrar/Test Administration.

“Throughout his eventful career, Mr Kum has shown integrity, diligence, innovation and a strong commitment to service. His leadership across various portfolios has earned him numerous institutional commendations, accolades and awards within the Council and beyond,” read the statement.