WAEC Appoints New Head of National Office for Nigeria

By Adedapo Adesanya

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has appointed Mr Patrick Ehidiamen Areghan as the new Head of National Office, WAEC Nigeria with effect from Thursday, March 5, 2020.

This followed the retirement of Mr Olutise Isaac Adenipekun from the services of the council on March 5, 2020.

In a press release issued by Public Affairs Department and signed by the Head, Mr Demianus Ojijeogu, the new HNO who hails from Egbele, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, attended Egbele Primary School Uromi, Edo State from 1968 to 1973 and proceeded to Esan Grammar School, Uromi from 1973 to 1978.

He graduated from the University of Benin in 1983 with the highest distinction with a B. Sc. Degree in Political Science. He also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Benin in 1989.

In addition, he holds a Masters’ Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and is a Fellow of the Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (FCGP).

Mr Areghan joined the West African examination body in October 1989 where he held the designated Assistant Registrar II, and would later rise to different ranks before become Senior Deputy Registrar in April 2018.

His impressive records include: Assistant Registrar/Subject Officer, Test Development Division, WAEC, Ogba, Lagos (October, 1989-June, 1990); Head of Examinations Security, Abuja Branch Office​ (June, 1990–July, 1994); Head of Examinations Security and pioneer staff, Awka Branch Office (July, 1994 – September, 1994); Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller, Uyo Branch Office (September, 1994-January, 2005​); Head of Examinations Security and Deputy to the Branch Controller, Lokoja Branch Office​ (January, 2005 – January, 2009); Head of Examinations and Deputy to the Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zonal Office​ (January, 2009 – October, 2009).

In March 2013, he rose to the position of Branch Controller, Kano Branch Office and became Zonal Coordinator, Port Harcourt Zonal Office​ (March, 2013 – August, 2014); Zonal Coordinator, Abuja Zonal Office​ (August, 2014 – February, 2016); Acting Director of Administration and later, Director of Administration, (February, 2016 January, 2019).

Until his appointment as Head of National Office, he was the Head of Test Administration Division, WAEC, Nigeria, a post he assumed in January 2019.