The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of its efforts to expand its global footprint and support Nigerian learners abroad.
The centre is located at Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education).
Unveiling the centre at the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025”, NECO Registrar/CEO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, said it would create opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
“NECO aims to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad, in line with the federal government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement,” Wushishi stated.
The Registrar highlighted NECO’s achievements since 2021, including its full migration to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE), describing it as a strategic objective crucial to NECO’s standing as a world-class assessment body.
He also revealed that the NECO SSCE was now administered in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with additional centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
Certificates issued by NECO are recognised by top institutions in the UK, USA, Canada, India, China, and Russia, among others, enhancing opportunities for Nigerian learners abroad.
Speaking at the conference, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative, emphasising that it aligned with the ministry’s mandate to serve every Nigerian child, including those in the diaspora.
Dr. John Ibanga, Director of BEP Education, noted that many Nigerian children in the UK face challenges navigating the British education system, and the NECO centre offers an alternative pathway for recognised qualifications.
The NECO delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, where Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe assured NECO of the commission’s collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the UK.
The new NECO SSCE CBE Centre in London represents a milestone in the council’s global expansion, empowering the diaspora and enhancing Nigeria’s educational reputation internationally.
