WAEC appoints Suleiman Danlami Kum as Nigeria National Office head

Education

LAGOS (NPA) — The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Mr Suleiman Danlami Kum as Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO), succeeding Dr Amos Josiah Dangut.

According to a statement issued by WAEC’s Public Affairs Department and signed by Moyosola F. Adesina, Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, on Oct. 3, 2026, Kum was born on Oct. 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, and hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

He attended Baptist High School, Jos, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education (GCE) in 1986/1987, before proceeding to the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he earned a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production with Second Class Honours, Upper Division, in 1992.

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Kum later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in 2025 and is currently completing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and Planning at the institution.

His professional career began in 1993 during his mandatory 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.

He later returned to Baptist High School, Jos, where he served between 1995 and 1998 as Form Master, Labour Master, Classroom Teacher and Health Master. His tenure culminated in his receiving the Light and Life Staff Merit Award in 1998.

Kum joined WAEC on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar II and rose through the ranks to become Senior Deputy Registrar in 2024.

Throughout his career at the council, he has served in several operational and administrative capacities, including:

• Assistant Registrar II/Head, Exams Security, Waka (November 1998–June 2002);
• Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Yola (June 2002–January 2006);
• Assistant Registrar I/Head, Exams Security, Makurdi (January 2006–November 2011);
• Senior Assistant Registrar I/Branch Controller, Gusau (November 2011–March 2013);
• Principal Assistant Registrar/Branch Controller, Kano (March 2013–July 2016);
• Deputy Registrar/Head, Security Printing Department (August 2016–February 2021);
• Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt (February 2021–December 2023);
• Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja (September 2023–September 2024);
• Director of Administration (January 2024–August 2025);
• Senior Deputy Registrar/Test Administration (September 2025–August 2026).

WAEC described Kum as a seasoned test developer, administrator and executive with extensive experience in test development, test administration, examination security, and branch and zonal office management.

The council said he had driven several administrative and technological innovations during his career, including establishing the Gusau office as a custodial centre, pioneering Variable Data Printing (VDP) and enhanced code security features in security printing, replacing council-wide attendance systems with facial-recognition biometric devices, and leading the delivery of Achievement Tests using the Computer-Based Examination (CBE) mode.

WAEC said Kum had demonstrated integrity, diligence, innovation and commitment to service throughout his career, earning several institutional commendations, accolades and awards within the council and beyond.

He has also attended national and international training programmes, symposia and conferences, including programmes in the United Kingdom.

Kum has published works in national and international volumes and presented several academic and professional papers. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

Before his appointment as Head of the Nigeria National Office, he served as Deputy Registrar in the Office of the Head of the Nigeria National Office.

Kum is married with children. His hobbies include travelling, swimming, reading and watching movies.