The National Examinations Council (NECO) has opened a new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Centre in London, United Kingdom, to enable Nigerians living abroad to access credible examination services.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was announced in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Azeez Sani, NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations.
The council stated that this is meant to serve Nigerians in the diaspora who have been unable to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
NECO Expands Examination Access Abroad
NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, unveiled the new centre during the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025.” He said the centre was established in collaboration with Barnfield Education Ltd., London.
According to Wushishi, the London centre forms part of NECO’s plan to support Nigerians in the diaspora in line with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusive and globally accessible education.
He said, “Our commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination (CBE) is the single most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body.”
Wushishi explained that NECO’s SSCE is currently conducted in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, and that new centres are awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
Benefits for Nigerians in the Diaspora
The Registrar said the establishment of the London centre would create several benefits for Nigerians abroad. These include empowering the diaspora community, promoting national pride, enhancing Nigeria’s international reputation, and supporting socio-economic development through education.
He added that NECO certificates are already recognised by several universities worldwide, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the United Kingdom, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
The move, he noted, would provide opportunities for Nigerian students in the UK and other parts of Europe to further their education and professional prospects using NECO qualifications.
Education Ministry Commends NECO Initiative
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the development, describing it as consistent with the Ministry’s objective to extend educational access to all Nigerians, including those in the diaspora.
“The Federal Ministry of Education views the diaspora not just as a community to serve, but as a resource to be empowered. Every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally,” Alausa said.
He added that accrediting Barnfield Education Ltd. was the first step in a broader strategy to expand NECO’s reach globally and promote Nigerian education as a respected and accessible standard worldwide.
Collaboration with Nigerian Mission in London
The Director of BEP Education, John Ibanga, noted that many Nigerian students in the UK face challenges with the British education system, particularly in meeting General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) requirements.
He said the NECO SSCE Centre would serve as an alternative for such students seeking recognised qualifications for further studies and employment.
During a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Wushishi briefed officials on the establishment of the centre and noted NECO’s coordination with Nigerian embassies and high commissions in all countries where it operates.
Responding, Eche Abu-Obe, Head of Political Affairs at the High Commission, commended NECO for the initiative and assured the council of the Mission’s cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s educational goals in the United Kingdom.
