The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Mr Suleiman Danlami Kum as the new Head of the Nigeria National Office, succeeding Dr Amos Josiah Dangut.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Council’s Public Affairs Department and signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, on Sunday.
Kum, who was born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He obtained his secondary education at Baptist High School, Jos, where he sat for the General Certificate of Education in 1986/1987.
He subsequently attended the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he earned a Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Animal Production with Second Class Honours, Upper Division, in 1992.
In pursuit of further academic qualifications, Kum obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2025. He is also completing a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and Planning at the institution.
His professional career began in 1993 during his National Youth Service Corps programme at the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he served as Head of the Animal Production Unit.
He later returned to Baptist High School, Jos, where he worked between 1995 and 1998 as Form Master, Labour Master, Classroom Teacher and Health Master. He received the Light and Life Staff Merit Award in 1998 before joining WAEC.
Kum joined WAEC on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II and rose through the ranks to become Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024.
Over more than two decades with the Council, he has held several key positions across its offices and departments, including roles in examination security, branch administration, security printing, zonal coordination, administration and test administration.
He served as Head of Examinations Security in Awka, Yola and Makurdi at different times before becoming Branch Controller in Gusau and Kano.
He later served as Deputy Registrar and Head of the Security Printing Department, Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja, Director of Administration, and most recently, Senior Deputy Registrar in charge of Test Administration.
Before his latest appointment, Kum served in the Head of National Office’s office as Deputy Registrar.
The new WAEC national office head is described as a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive with extensive experience in test development and administration, examination security, as well as branch and zonal office management.
During his career, he was credited with several administrative and technological innovations within the Council.
These include establishing the Gusau office as a custodial centre, pioneering Variable Data Printing and enhanced code security features in security printing, introducing facial recognition biometric devices to replace council-wide attendance systems, and leading the delivery of Achievement Tests through the Computer-Based Examination mode.
WAEC said Kum had demonstrated integrity, diligence, innovation and commitment to service throughout his career, earning him several institutional commendations, accolades and awards.
He has also participated in national and international trainings, symposia and conferences, including programmes in the United Kingdom, and has published works in national and international volumes.
Kum is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and has presented several academic and professional papers.
He is married with children, while his hobbies include travelling, swimming, reading and watching movies.
