NECO goes global, exam council opens first centre in UK
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has extended its global footprint with the establishment of a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, a move aimed at giving Nigerians in the diaspora greater access to quality education and recognised certification.
A release signed by Ag. Director, Information and Public Relations of NECO, Azeez Sani, on Sunday had revealed.
Unveiling the new centre in London, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, described the initiative as “a strategic milestone” in the Council’s mission to make its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) accessible to Nigerians worldwide.
Speaking at the Education Matters Conference UK 2025 organised to mark the launch, Professor Wushishi explained that the NECO SSCE Centre, established in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), will serve Nigerian students and adult learners living in the UK who, for various reasons, could not complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
He said the move aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement, noting that “our commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination (CBE) remains the most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body.”
Professor Wushishi disclosed that NECO’s examinations are now conducted in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
He added that the London centre would yield far-reaching benefits, empowering the Nigerian diaspora, boosting national pride, strengthening economic and social ties, and enhancing Nigeria’s global educational standing.
Highlighting NECO’s growing international recognition, he noted that its certificates are accepted by prestigious institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, and by universities in the United States, Canada, India, China and Russia.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, praised NECO’s vision, saying the establishment of the London centre “reflects our mandate to serve every Nigerian child, including those in the diaspora.”
He added: “The Federal Ministry of Education views the diaspora not merely as a community to serve but as a valuable resource to be empowered. Every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally.”
The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd, Dr John Ibanga, said the partnership would address challenges faced by Nigerian children in the British education system — particularly those unable to meet GCSE requirements — by providing them with an alternative qualification pathway.
He noted that NECO certificates already enjoy recognition in several UK universities, and that the new centre would also benefit adults seeking academic or professional advancement.
During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Professor Wushishi briefed diplomats on the accreditation
of the new centre, emphasising its importance to Nigeria’s educational diplomacy.