National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of efforts to expand its global reach and improve access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Professor Dantani Wushishi, announced the development while unveiling the new centre in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education) in London.
Speaking at the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025,” organised by the Council to raise awareness of NECO’s presence in the UK, Professor Wushishi said the new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre would provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
He explained that NECO’s objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians abroad, in line with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global educational engagement.
According to him, NECO certificates are accepted by several prestigious institutions, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as universities in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
Professor Wushishi also disclosed that new NECO centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso would further strengthen the Council’s position as a leading African assessment body.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, commended the initiative, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to ensure educational access for all Nigerian children, including those living abroad.
“Every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally,” Dr. Alausa said.
The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd, John Ibanga, described the centre as a timely intervention, noting that many Nigerian students in the UK face challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to meet the GCSE qualification requirements.
He added that the NECO SSCE centre would serve as an alternative pathway, offering recognised qualifications for further education and vocational advancement.
Other speakers at the conference commended NECO for the initiative and pledged to create more awareness among Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
RN
