The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Suleiman Kum as the new head of its Nigeria national office.

Mr Kum succeeds Amos Josiah Dangut, the immediate past head of the national office (HNO), now registrar of the council.

The appointment is contained in a statement by the council’s spokesperson, Moyosola Adesina, on Sunday.

According to the statement, Mr Kum joined WAEC on July 17, 1998, as assistant registrar II and rose through the ranks to become senior deputy registrar in 2024.

It said that before his appointment, he had served as deputy registrar in the Office of the HNO.

“He has held several key positions within the council, including Director of Administration, Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja, Head of Security Printing Department and Branch Controller in Gusau and Kano,” it stated.

The statement added that Mr Kum also served as Senior Deputy Registrar, Test Administration, from September 2025 to August 2026.

“His extensive experience covered test development, examination administration, examination security, as well as branch and zonal office management.

“Kum pioneered several administrative and technological innovations during his career, including Variable Data Printing and enhanced security features in the council’s security printing operations.

“He also led the introduction of facial recognition biometric devices to replace the council-wide attendance system,” the statement said.

It added that the new HNO played a key role in the seamless delivery of ‘Achievement Tests’ through the computer-based examination mode.

The statement noted that the new WAEC boss, who hails from Langtang North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, was born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger.

According to the statement, he obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in 1992, with Second Class Honours, Upper Division.

It added that Mr Kum later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in 2025.

He is currently completing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and Planning.

It added that Mr Kum started his professional career in 1993 during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he served as Head of the Animal Production Unit.

According to the statement, Mr Kum subsequently taught at Baptist High School, Jos, between 1995 and 1998, serving in various capacities including form master, Labour Master, classroom teacher and health master.

The statement further noted that Mr Kum’s contributions to the council had earned him several commendations, accolades and awards within and outside the test body.

It added that he had attended several national and international trainings, conferences and symposia, including programmes in the United Kingdom.

The statement also said he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and had published works in national and international volumes, while also presenting academic and professional papers.

(NAN)