WAEC set to fully adopt computer-based WASSCE by 2026
The West African Examinations Council,WAEC, has reaffirmed plans to migrate the West African Senior School Certificate Examination,WASSCE, to full Computer-Based Testing ,CBT, by 2026.
Head of National Office, Dr. Amos Dangut, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a sensitisation meeting with members of the National Assembly Committee on Education.
He noted that the transition, which began with private candidates in 2024, had recorded “significant progress” and would be scaled up nationwide.
Dangut explained that mock sessions and online practice platforms would be introduced to help candidates familiarise themselves with the system, stressing that no student would be left behind.
“We have conducted five exams already,one for private candidates and one for school candidates,and by 2026, deployment will be massive,” he said.
On concerns about infrastructure and cyber risks, Dangut assured stakeholders that WAEC had successfully conducted exams in hard-to-reach areas without disruptions.
He added that candidates’ performances in CBT had been “empirically better” than in paper-based tests.
The Senate and House of Representatives pledged full support for the rollout. Senator Ekong Samson, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, said parliament would work to increase budgetary allocation to education.
Similarly, Rep. Oboku Oforji urged WAEC to establish at least one CBT centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas before the 2026 deadline.
WAEC set to fully adopt computer-based WASSCE by 2026
Madonna University expels final-year nursing student, suspends 14 over dance video
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the management of Madonna University to reconsider the expulsion of a final-year nursing student and the suspension of 14 others over a viral dance video recorded within a hospital environment.
The controversy began after a video showing a group of nursing students dancing at different locations at Madonna University’s Elele campus in Rivers State surfaced online and attracted widespread attention.
The footage showed the students dancing in areas including a hospital waiting area, staircase and a university bus. It was reportedly linked to a social media trend involving young nurses and students.
The video generated criticism because some of the scenes were filmed within a healthcare environment, where students undergoing professional training are expected to observe standards relating to professional conduct, discipline and patient care.
Following the controversy, Madonna University took disciplinary action against the students involved. One final-year nursing student was expelled, while 14 others were suspended.
Madonna University expels final-year nursing student, suspends 14 over dance video
The university’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Chima Achu, confirmed that disciplinary measures had been imposed and indicated that the institution would provide further details on the matter.
The sanctions have, however, attracted criticism from student groups, with NANS urging the university to reconsider the expulsion.
NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, appealed to the university to “temper justice with mercy”, arguing that the affected students had spent several years pursuing their education and professional training.
He called for the expelled student’s punishment to be reviewed and suggested that a stern warning, undertaking or other corrective disciplinary measure could be considered instead.
According to NANS, disciplinary action should correct inappropriate behaviour while giving students an opportunity to learn from their mistakes, rather than permanently ending their education where a less severe sanction may be appropriate.
The controversy has generated divided reactions. While some Nigerians have backed the university’s decision, arguing that students preparing for careers in healthcare must maintain high standards of professionalism, others have questioned whether expulsion was a proportionate response to the incident.
The case has also revived concerns about social media conduct among students, particularly when videos are recorded inside hospitals, clinics and other professional environments.
For healthcare students, such concerns extend beyond ordinary campus rules because their training involves responsibilities relating to patient privacy, dignity, safety and public trust.
At the same time, the NANS intervention has brought renewed attention to the question of whether university disciplinary measures should place greater emphasis on rehabilitation and corrective education.
The university has not indicated that the students were involved in any harm to patients, and the available reports do not establish such a claim.
The focus of the disciplinary action is the conduct displayed in the video and the circumstances in which it was recorded.
Madonna University is expected to provide further clarification on the disciplinary process, the specific regulations breached and the possibility, if any, of reviewing the sanctions.
Until then, the expulsion of the final-year student and suspension of the other 14 students remain the subject of an ongoing appeal by student representatives.
Madonna University expels final-year nursing student, suspends 14 over dance video
JUST IN: WAEC appoints Suleiman Kum as new Nigeria National Office head
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Suleiman Danlami Kum as the new Head of its Nigeria National Office (HNO), following the elevation of Dr Amos Josiah Dangut to Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the examination body.
Kum’s appointment was announced on Sunday, October 4, 2026, by WAEC Nigeria’s Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina.
He takes over from Dangut, who served as Head of the WAEC Nigeria National Office from October 2023 before assuming the position of Registrar and CEO of WAEC on October 1, 2026.
Kum, 56, joined WAECon July 17, 1998, as an Assistant Registrar II and has risen through several positions during his more than two decades with the organisation.
Before his appointment as HNO, he served as Deputy Registrar in the Nigeria National Office and as Senior Deputy Registrar and Head of Test Administration.
His career has included assignments in several WAEC offices across Nigeria, including Awka, Yola, Makurdi, Gusau, Kano, Port Harcourt and Ikeja. He has also served as Director of Administration and Head of the Security Printing Department.
WAEC said Kum has extensive experience in test development, examination administration, examination security, branch management and zonal operations.
The council also credited him with contributing to innovations aimed at improving examination security and administration. These include the introduction of Variable Data Printing, enhanced security codes in examination materials, facial-recognition biometric attendance systems and the use of computer-based examinations for Achievement Tests.
Kum is from Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State. He studied Agriculture, specialising in Animal Production, at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, where he graduated with Second Class Upper Division.
He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Open University of Nigeria and is pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Planning.
Before joining WAEC, Kum worked in the education sector and also completed his National Youth Service Corps programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
His appointment comes as WAEC Nigeria continues to expand the use of technology in the conduct of secondary-school examinations.
The council has been gradually moving towards computer-based testing (CBT) while retaining paper-based examinations in centres without the infrastructure required for a full transition to digital testing.
Kum therefore assumes leadership of the Nigeria National Office at a time when examination security, digital testing, result processing and the protection of the integrity of WASSCEremain key priorities for the council.
Dangut, his predecessor, became WAEC’s 14th Registrar and CEO after his appointment was ratified by the council’s International Governing Board. He is expected to oversee the operations of the examination body across its member countries from the council’s headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
Under Dangut’s leadership in Nigeria, WAEC advanced initiatives including computer-based WASSCE, digital electronic marking, the Digital Certificate Portal and the WAEC E-Study Platform.
With Kum now taking charge of the Nigeria National Office, his immediate responsibilities will include overseeing the council’s examination administration in Nigeria and sustaining efforts to strengthen examination security, digital innovation and the credibility of WAEC results.
JUST IN: WAEC appoints Suleiman Kum as new Nigeria National Office head
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.
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.
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.
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
