The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has named Mr. Suleiman Danlami Kum as the new Head of its Nigeria National Office (HNO), succeeding Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut.
Kum’s appointment places an experienced WAEC administrator at the helm of the council’s Nigerian operations after more than two decades of service within the examination body.
His new role comes with responsibility for overseeing key aspects of WAEC’s activities in Nigeria, including examination administration, security, testing and other operational matters.
The appointment was announced by WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, in a statement issued on Monday.
Kum has spent a significant part of his professional career working in different departments and locations of WAEC, gaining experience in areas ranging from examination security and test administration to management, security printing and coordination of the council’s branch and zonal offices.
He joined the council on July 17, 1998, when he was employed as Assistant Registrar II. Over the years, he progressed through several positions and responsibilities, eventually attaining the rank of Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024.
Before his elevation to the position of Head of National Office, Kum served as Deputy Registrar in the Office of the Head of National Office, giving him direct exposure to the operations and administrative responsibilities associated with the position he now occupies.
His WAEC career has taken him through several strategic assignments. He served as Head of Examinations Security in Awka, Yola and Makurdi, where he was involved in activities relating to the protection and integrity of the examination process.
He also worked as Branch Controller in Gusau and Kano and later headed the council’s Security Printing Department.
His other assignments included serving as Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja, Director of Administration and Senior Deputy Registrar in charge of Test Administration.
Through these positions, Kum was involved in initiatives designed to improve the council’s administrative systems and strengthen the security of its examination processes.
Among the innovations WAEC credited him with contributing to was the establishment of the Gusau office as a custodial centre. He was also associated with the introduction of Variable Data Printing and enhanced code security features in the council’s security printing operations.
Another notable area of his involvement was the adoption of facial-recognition biometric devices to replace the council-wide attendance system. The technology was introduced as part of efforts to improve identification and attendance monitoring within WAEC’s operations.
Kum also played a role in the delivery of Achievement Tests through the Computer-Based Examination mode, reflecting his involvement in the council’s gradual adoption of technology-driven examination processes.
WAEC described its new Nigeria National Office head as a professional who has demonstrated integrity, diligence, innovation and commitment to service throughout his years with the organisation.
Beyond his professional experience, Kum has an academic background spanning agriculture and education.
He was born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, but hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He received his secondary education at Baptist High School, Jos, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education (GCE) in the 1986/1987 academic session.
After completing his secondary education, he proceeded to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he studied Animal Production. He graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Animal Production, obtaining Second Class Honours, Upper Division.
His first professional experience came in 1993 during his National Youth Service Corps programme. He was posted to the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he served as Head of the Animal Production Unit.
Following his NYSC service, Kum moved into classroom teaching. Between 1995 and 1998, he worked at Baptist High School, Jos, the same institution where he had received his secondary education.
During his teaching career, he held a number of responsibilities, serving at different times as Form Master, Labour Master, classroom teacher and Health Master.
His move to WAEC in 1998 subsequently opened a new chapter in his career and saw him develop expertise in examination management and administration.
Kum has also continued to pursue professional and academic development. In 2025, he obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
He is currently completing a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and Planning at the same institution.
The new WAEC HNO has also participated in several professional development programmes, conferences, symposia and training sessions within Nigeria and internationally. Some of the programmes he attended were held in the United Kingdom.
His professional interests have extended to research and knowledge sharing, with Kum publishing works in national and international volumes. He has also presented academic and professional papers at various forums.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).
Kum’s appointment therefore marks another stage in a career that has combined education, examination administration, management and technological innovation.
With his experience across different departments and geographical zones of WAEC, he is expected to bring knowledge of the council’s internal operations to his new assignment as Head of the Nigeria National Office.
His career progression from an Assistant Registrar II in 1998 to Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024 and now Head of the Nigeria National Office reflects the various responsibilities he has undertaken within the organisation over the years.
As he assumes the new position, his professional background in examination security, test administration, management and technology will form an important part of his experience in leading WAEC’s Nigeria National Office.