The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Suleiman Kum as the new Head of its Nigeria National Office, taking charge of the council’s operations in one of its largest markets.
The appointment follows Amos Dangut’s move from the Nigerian office to the top administrative position at the West African Examinations Council. Dangut assumed office as the council’s 14th Registrar and Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2026, beginning a five-year tenure that will run until September 2031.
For students, schools and parents, this change is more than a routine leadership adjustment. WAEC remains central to secondary school examinations and certification in the country, so the people leading its national office have an influence on how examinations are administered, secured and delivered.
Suleiman Kum brings nearly three decades of WAEC experience
WAEC’s new Nigeria head brings nearly three decades of experience inside the examination body. According to the council, Kum joined WAEC on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II and progressed through several roles before becoming Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024. He served as Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, from September 2025 to August 2026.
His record covers key areas of modern examinations, including security, administration, technology and branch management.
Before becoming Head of the Nigeria National Office, Kum served as Deputy Registrar in the office of the HNO. He has also worked as Director of Administration, Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja, Head of the Security Printing Department and Branch Controller in Gusau and Kano.
WAEC said his career has included contributions to administrative and technological improvements. These include the introduction of Variable Data Printing and stronger code-security features in security printing, as well as facial-recognition biometric devices to replace the council-wide attendance system.
He was also involved in the delivery of Achievement Tests using computer-based examinations. The council described him as a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive with experience spanning test development, examination administration, examination security and branch and zonal management.
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Kum’s education and teaching background
The new HNO also has a teaching background. Kum was born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, and is from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He earned a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, now known as Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, in 1992, graduating with Second Class Honours, Upper Division. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2025 and is completing a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Planning.
His professional journey started in 1993 during the National Youth Service Corps programme at the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he headed the Animal Production Unit. He later taught at Baptist High School, Jos, before moving fully into WAEC in 1998.
The appointment comes at an important time for education. WAEC’s national office coordinates a major secondary school examination system as the council expands digital processes and examination security.
In August 2026, WAEC Nigeria released the results of the 2026 WASSCE for school candidates. The council reported that 61.54 per cent of candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, showing the scale of the operation Kum will oversee.
Kum will face pressure to protect examination integrity, strengthen technology and improve services to schools and candidates.
Back story: How Amos Dangut moved to WAEC’s top job
The leadership change was set in motion when Dangut was chosen to become WAEC Registrar and CEO. The appointment was ratified at the council’s 74th Annual Meeting in Accra in March 2026. He succeeded Pateh Bah of The Gambia and became the 14th person to occupy the position.
Dangut had led WAEC Nigeria’s national office since October 2, 2023, after a long career with the council. He joined WAEC in 1998 following an earlier teaching career and held positions in test development, examination security, branch administration, post-examination activities and zonal management.
Now that Dangut has moved to WAEC’s regional leadership and Kum has taken over the Nigerian office, the council has maintained continuity while placing experienced insiders in both key positions.
For millions of Nigerian candidates who encounter WAEC through registration, examination halls and certificates, the real test of the new leadership will be measured by how effectively it protects standards and improves the examination experience.
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