10 Things to Know About Amos Dangut, Nigerian Appointed WAEC Registrar

10 Things to Know About Amos Dangut, Nigerian Appointed WAEC Registrar

Dr Amos Josiah Dangut has assumed office as the new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), becoming the 14th person to occupy the position.

The Nigerian education administrator took over from Alhaji Pateh Bah of The Gambia and will serve a five-year tenure running from October 2026 to September 2031.

Dangut previously served as Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, where he was involved in examination administration and the council’s transition towards greater use of digital technology.

Here are 10 things to know about the new WAEC Registrar.

1. He is from Plateau State

Dangut was born on October 2, 1967, in Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.

He attended Government Secondary School, Riyom, between 1981 and 1983 before proceeding to Government Science School, Kuru, where he studied from 1983 to 1986 and obtained his WASC/SC.

2. His first degree was in Agriculture

Dangut obtained a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Production from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, in 1991.

His academic training initially centred on agriculture and animal science before his professional career moved into teaching, examination administration and educational management.

3. He has three postgraduate qualifications

Dangut continued his education after his first degree, obtaining an MSc in Animal Science from the University of Ibadan in 1994.

He later earned a PhD in Animal Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in 2017 and a Master of Education in Administration and Planning from the National Open University of Nigeria in 2020.

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4. His career started in teaching

Dangut began his professional career in education after his NYSC programme in 1991/1992.

He worked at St Louis College, Jos, and had earlier received recognition during his NYSC service for innovative teaching and efforts to improve farmers’ productivity.

He received Meritorious Service Awards from the Ondo State Government and Akoko South-West Local Government.

5. He joined WAEC in 1998

Dangut joined the West African Examinations Council in 1998 as an Assistant Registrar II.

He rose through the ranks and became a Deputy Registrar in April 2018, building a career at WAEC that has lasted nearly three decades.

6. He has held several positions within WAEC

His career at WAEC has taken him through various departments and offices.

He served as an Assistant Registrar and Subject Officer in the Test Development Division in Lagos between 1998 and 2005. He later worked in Uyo and Bauchi, where he was involved in examination security and served as Deputy to the Branch Controller.

He subsequently became Branch Controller in Yola, Deputy Registrar/Controller of the Post Examinations Department and Deputy Registrar/Zonal Coordinator at the Ikeja Zonal Office.

7. He received commendation for transparent examination conduct

Dangut received a commendation from the Nigeria Examinations Committee for the transparent conduct of examinations between 2000 and 2006.

His early responsibilities included test development and examination security, areas that became important parts of his subsequent career at the council.

8. He headed WAEC Nigeria from 2023 to 2026

Dangut became Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC on October 2, 2023, succeeding Patrick Areghan.

He remained in the position until his elevation to the regional leadership of WAEC in October 2026.

During his tenure, WAEC expanded its use of technology in examination administration. The council introduced innovations including Computer-Based WASSCE, serialisation of question papers and a Digital Electronic Marking System.

9. He played a role in WAEC’s digital transformation

Information and Communications Technology became a significant part of Dangut’s work at WAEC.

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The council said he leveraged ICT to improve test development, test administration and post-examination activities.

Under his leadership at the Nigeria National Office, WAEC also operated digital services including the Digital Certificate Portal, WAEC E-Study Platform and Digital Records Archive, alongside digital systems for examination logistics and monitoring examiners.

The transition to computer-based examinations has become particularly significant for WAEC’s Nigerian operations, with the council conducting Computer-Based WASSCE for school candidates in 2026.

10. He now leads WAEC at regional level

Dangut assumed office as the 14th WAEC Registrar and CEO on October 1, 2026.

His five-year tenure will run until September 2031, following the ratification of his appointment by WAEC’s international governing board at its 74th Annual Meeting in Accra, Ghana, in March 2026.

As Registrar and CEO, Dangut moves from heading WAEC’s Nigerian operations to overseeing the council at its international headquarters in Accra.

Beyond his WAEC career, he has served on the boards of organisations including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

He has also represented WAEC at education policy platforms including the Joint Consultative Committee on Education and the National Council on Education.

Dangut has published academic works in national and international journals and presented papers at professional conferences. He is a member of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) and the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and serves as the West African sub-region’s representative on the Executive Board of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa.

Outside his professional work, his listed interests include swimming, tennis and farming.

10 Things to Know About Amos Dangut, Nigerian Appointed WAEC Registrar