The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the appointment of Suleiman Kum as the new head of its Nigeria National Office. This appointment was made public by Moyosola Adesina, the head of public affairs at WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, on October 3. Kum takes over from Amos Dangut, who was appointed as the registrar and chief executive officer of the council.
Suleiman Kum was born on October 16, 1970, in Minna, Niger State, and hails from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State. He completed his secondary education at Baptist High School, Jos, and later attended the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he earned a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 1992.
Kum has a strong educational background, having earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) 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 at NOUN. His professional career began in 1993 during his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployment at the Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Kum joined the West African Examinations Council on July 17, 1998, as Assistant Registrar (AR) II and rose through the ranks to become Senior Deputy Registrar (SDR) in 2024. Throughout his career, he has served in various key operational capacities, including heading exams security in Awka, Yola, and Makurdi, as well as serving as Branch Controller in Gusau, Kano, and Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt and Ikeja.
Kum has driven administrative and technological innovations throughout his career, including establishing the Gusau office as a custodial centre and pioneering variable data prints (VDP) and enhanced code security features in security printing. He has also led the seamless delivery of achievement tests using the computer-based examination (CBE) mode and replaced council-wide attendance systems with facial recognition biometric devices.
Kum's leadership across various portfolios has earned him numerous institutional commendations, accolades, and awards within the Council and beyond. He has attended various international and national trainings, symposia, and conferences, including in the United Kingdom, and has published works in both national and international volumes. Kum is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and is married with children.
Before his appointment as head of the Nigerian national office of WAEC, Kum served as deputy registrar/HNO’s office. His appointment is a testament to his integrity, diligence, innovation, and strong commitment to service. Kum's hobbies include travelling, swimming, reading, and watching movies.
Key points
- Suleiman Kum has been appointed as the new head of WAEC's Nigeria National Office.
- Kum has driven various administrative and technological innovations throughout his career.
- He has received numerous commendations and awards for his leadership and service.
