New Era for West African Examinations Council Under Dr Amos Dangut’s Leadership

Dr Amos Josiah Dangut has officially assumed his role as the 14th registrar and CEO of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), marking a significant moment in the organization’s history. With this appointment, Dangut becomes the sixth Nigerian to lead WAEC since its inception—a testament to Nigeria’s prominent contribution to regional educational governance.

The five-year tenure began in October 2026 and will extend until September 2031. He succeeds Pateh Bah of The Gambia, whose service concluded earlier this year. The appointment was formally ratified by WAEC’s International Governing Board at their 74th annual meeting in Accra in March 2026.

From Educator to Regional Leader

Dangut’s journey with WAEC began in 1998, building on his earlier experience as an examiner at St Louis College, Jos, since 1994. Throughout his career within the council, he steadily advanced through various leadership positions—from assistant registrar to deputy registrar/controller across multiple offices.

His most recent role prior to this appointment was Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office (October 2023–September 2026), where he spearheaded critical initiatives aimed at modernizing examination processes, enhancing security measures, and improving overall efficiency. Notably, Dangut championed the rollout of computer-based WASSCE, question paper serialization, and digital marking systems—transformative changes that have strengthened the integrity and reliability of WAEC assessments.

A Legacy of Innovation in Educational Assessment

Under Dangut’s leadership, WAEC has seen significant advancements including:

• Implementation of a Digital Certificate Portal providing secure access to examination results
• Launch of the WAEC E-Study Platform offering supplementary learning resources
• Creation of a Digital Records Archive ensuring long-term preservation of examination data
• Deployment of digital systems for streamlined logistics and examiner management

These innovations reflect Dangut’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance educational standards across West Africa.

Continuing a Nigerian Tradition of Excellence

The appointment underscores the significant role Nigerians have played in WAEC’s leadership. Previous registrars from Nigeria include Prof. Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike (1971–1979), Dr S. A. Esezobor (1987–1995), Alhaja Mulikat Bello (2007–2012) and Dr Iyi Uwadiae (2012–2019). Each of these leaders has contributed to WAEC’s growth as a respected regional examination body.

Dr Dangut holds multiple advanced degrees including a PhD in Animal Science and a Master of Education. He also brings extensive experience serving on education governance boards across Nigeria, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.