WAEC Names Suleiman Kum as New Head of Nigeria National Office

WAEC appoints Suleiman Kum WAEC as the new Head of Nigeria National Office, a move that is expected to shape the council’s operations for the 2026‑2027 examination cycle. The West African Examinations Council announced the appointment on October 4, 2026, highlighting Kum’s extensive experience in educational administration and his commitment to improving exam integrity across Nigeria.

Who is Suleiman Kum and why his appointment matters

Suleiman Kum joins WAEC after a decade of service in both public and private education sectors. He previously served as Director of Curriculum Development at a leading Nigerian university, where he oversaw the integration of digital assessment tools. His track record of modernising exam processes aligns with WAEC’s strategic plan to digitise registration, result dissemination and security protocols.

Industry observers note that Kum’s background in ICT‑enabled learning could accelerate the rollout of WAEC’s online portal, a project that has been in pilot mode since early 2025. By placing a technophile at the helm, WAEC signals a clear intent to reduce paper‑based bottlenecks and curb malpractice.

What the new leadership means for students and schools

For students, the appointment promises smoother registration and clearer communication of exam dates. Schools can anticipate more timely delivery of answer scripts and faster result turnaround, which is crucial for university admissions and scholarship applications. Kum has pledged to enhance stakeholder engagement through quarterly town‑hall meetings with school principals, teachers’ unions and parent‑teacher associations.

In practical terms, this could translate to a reduction in the average waiting period for WAEC results from three weeks to two weeks, a change that would benefit millions of candidates across West Africa.

Key priorities outlined by the new Head

During his introductory press conference, Kum outlined three core priorities:

1. Digital transformation: Expand the e‑registration platform, introduce biometric verification for candidates and pilot AI‑driven script marking in selected subjects.
2. Exam security: Strengthen the chain‑of‑custody procedures for answer scripts, deploy tamper‑evident packaging and increase random audits.
3. Stakeholder collaboration: Work closely with ministries of education, private schools and regional examination bodies to harmonise curricula and grading standards.

These priorities echo WAEC’s 2026‑2028 strategic framework, which aims to position the council as a benchmark for transparent, technology‑driven assessment in Africa.

Practical examples of upcoming initiatives

Example 1 – Biometric registration pilot: In the Lagos State pilot, candidates will scan fingerprints at designated registration centres. The data will be linked to a unique WAEC ID, eliminating duplicate entries. Early tests show a 12% reduction in registration errors.

Example 2 – AI‑assisted marking for Mathematics: A machine‑learning model trained on 500,000 past scripts will grade multiple‑choice sections, while human markers review written work. The hybrid approach aims to cut marking time by 30% without compromising accuracy.

Impact on regional examination harmonisation

WAEC’s influence extends beyond Nigeria to Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and other ECOWAS members. Kum’s appointment is expected to reinforce the council’s role in regional harmonisation efforts, especially as West African countries pursue mutual recognition of qualifications. By standardising exam administration, WAEC can facilitate student mobility across borders, a goal championed by the African Union’s Education 2030 agenda.

Furthermore, Kum has indicated a willingness to collaborate with other continental bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on best‑practice exchanges, potentially opening pathways for joint research on assessment trends.

Challenges ahead and how Kum plans to address them

Despite the optimism, several challenges remain. First, the digital divide persists in many rural Nigerian states, where internet connectivity is unreliable. Kum proposes a hybrid model that retains paper‑based registration in low‑bandwidth areas while offering digital alternatives where feasible.

Second, exam malpractice continues to threaten credibility. To combat this, Kum will launch a nationwide awareness campaign targeting students, teachers and parents, emphasizing the long‑term consequences of cheating.

Lastly, funding constraints could hamper ambitious tech rollouts. The new Head intends to seek partnerships with fintech firms and development agencies to secure grants and sponsorships for infrastructure upgrades.

What this means for parents and guardians

Parents can look forward to clearer timelines for fee payments, registration deadlines and result releases. Kum’s commitment to transparency includes publishing monthly performance dashboards on WAEC’s website, allowing guardians to track progress and raise concerns in real time.

In addition, the council plans to introduce a mobile app that will send push notifications for key dates, exam tips and scholarship opportunities, making information more accessible to families across the continent.

Additional support tools for teachers

To aid teachers in aligning classroom instruction with WAEC standards, Kum’s office will roll out a free online resource hub. The hub will feature:

• Curriculum mapping worksheets for core subjects.
• Video tutorials on designing formative assessments.
• Downloadable question banks calibrated to WAEC grading rubrics.

These tools aim to reduce the preparation gap between urban and rural schools, fostering more equitable outcomes.

FAQ

• When does Suleiman Kum officially start his role? He assumes office on October 7, 2026, following a formal handover ceremony at WAEC’s Lagos headquarters.
• Will there be any changes to the WAEC exam schedule for 2026? The 2026 examination calendar remains unchanged; however, Kum has promised to review the timetable for the 2027 session to reduce clashes with school holidays.
• How can schools engage with the new Head? WAEC will open a dedicated liaison portal where school administrators can submit queries, request meetings and access policy updates directly from Kum’s office.
• What security measures will protect answer scripts? New tamper‑evident envelopes, GPS‑tracked transport containers and random third‑party audits will be introduced to safeguard script integrity.
• How will the biometric system handle candidates with disabilities? Alternative verification methods, such as iris scanning or manual ID checks, will be available to ensure inclusivity.

For more details, see the official WAEC announcement: WAEC appoints Suleiman Kum as new Head of Nigeria National Office.

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