10 things to know about new WAEC registrar, Amos Dangut

Dr Amos Josiah Dangut has risen through several positions within the West African Examinations Council to become the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the regional examination body.

Dangut, who previously served as the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, is scheduled to assume his new position at the council’s international headquarters in Accra, Ghana, on October 2, 2026.

1. He is from Plateau State

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

He began his secondary education at 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 degree in Animal Production from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, in 1991.

His early academic training was therefore centred on agriculture and animal science before his professional career expanded into education, examinations and administration.

3. He holds three postgraduate degrees

Dangut continued his academic studies after obtaining his first degree and earned an MSc in Animal Science from the University of Ibadan in 1994.

He later obtained 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.

4. He started his career as a teacher

Dangut began his professional career in education after completing his National Youth Service Corps programme in 1991/1992 and subsequently worked at St Louis College, Jos.

During his NYSC service, he was recognised for innovative teaching and efforts aimed at improving farmers’ productivity, according to his WAEC profile.

The profile also states that he received Meritorious Service Awards from the Ondo State Government and Akoko South-West Local Government.

5. He joined WAEC in 1998

Dangut joined WAEC in 1998 as an Assistant Registrar II and gradually advanced through the ranks during his career at the examination body.

He became a Deputy Registrar in April 2018 after serving in several capacities within the council.

His appointment as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer therefore marks the latest stage of a career spanning almost three decades within WAEC.

6. He worked across several WAEC offices

Dangut served as Assistant Registrar and Subject Officer in the Test Development Division in Lagos between 1998 and 2005.

He subsequently worked in Uyo and Bauchi as Senior Assistant Registrar, Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller before later serving as Senior Assistant Registrar and Branch Controller in Yola.

He also became Deputy Registrar and Controller of the Post Examinations Department before serving as Deputy Registrar and Zonal Coordinator at the Ikeja Zonal Office.

7. He received recognition for examination conduct

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

The recognition came during the early phase of his WAEC career, when his responsibilities included test development and examination security.

8. He led WAEC Nigeria for almost three years

Dangut became Head of the Nigeria National Office on October 2, 2023, succeeding Patrick Areghan, and remained in the position until his transition to the regional role.

During his tenure, he was involved in the administration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and WAEC’s gradual shift towards computer-based examinations.

In 2026, WAEC conducted its Computer-Based WASSCE for school candidates in Nigeria, with Dangut announcing that nearly two million candidates had registered for the examination.

9. He has been involved in WAEC’s digital transition

Information and Communications Technology has featured prominently in Dangut’s work at the examination council, with WAEC crediting him with using technology to improve test development, administration and post-examination processes.

In a 2024 interview, Dangut discussed the council’s plans to expand digital examinations as WAEC continued moving from conventional paper-based assessment towards computer-based testing.

His tenure as Nigeria’s national office head consequently coincided with the introduction and expansion of computer-based examinations in the country.

10. He is an academic and professional association member

Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dangut has published educational research in national and international journals and delivered papers and keynote addresses at conferences and professional gatherings, according to WAEC.

He is associated with the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Institute of Management, while his interests outside professional duties include swimming, tennis and farming.

With his new appointment, Dangut moves from overseeing WAEC’s Nigerian operations to leading the council from its international headquarters in Accra, where he is scheduled to formally assume office on October 2, 2026.

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