The National Examinations Council, NECO, has established a new Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, Centre in London, United Kingdom.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the acting Director, Information and Public Relations of the council, Azeez Sani.
He stated that the initiative aimed to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians living abroad.
The acting Director noted that the initiative is especially for those who have been unable to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
Quoting the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, who unveiled the centre during the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025″, Sani said the initiative was organized to sensitize stakeholders about NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom.
Wushishi stated that the new centre was established in collaboration with Barnfield Education Ltd., London.
He explained that the London centre represents a strategic expansion to support Nigerians in the Diaspora. A program that is in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.
The Registrar emphasized that NECO’s mission was to make quality education and assessment accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of location.
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 disclosed that NECO’s SSCE was currently administered in seven countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
He noted that the establishment of the London centre offered far-reaching benefits such as empowering the Nigerian Diaspora, elevating national pride, enhancing global standing, and fostering socio-economic gains through education.
Registrar also noted that NECO certificates were widely recognized by prestigious universities such as Birmingham City University and Leads Trinity University in the UK. As well as institutions in the USA, Canada, India, China and Russia.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative. He noted that it aligned with the Ministry’s mandate to ensure educational access for every Nigerian child, including those in the Diaspora.
He said, “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.”
The Minister added that accrediting BEP Education marked the first step in a broader strategy to expand NECO’s reach globally. And in positioning Nigerian education as a universally respected and accessible brand.
In his remark, the Director of BEP Education, Dr John Ibanga, revealed that many Nigerian students in the UK face challenges within the British education system. With particular emphasis on those who struggle to attain required GCSE qualifications.
He noted that the new NECO SSCE Centre, provides an alternative pathway for such students. Offering them recognised qualifications for further education and career advancement.
In a related development, Wushishi also led a NECO delegation on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London.
At the event, he briefed officials on the establishment of the examination centre. He noted that NECO maintained official communication with Nigerian embassies and High Commissions in all countries where it operates, to ensure coordination and transparency.
Responding on behalf of the mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Head of Political Affairs, commended NECO for the “timely and commendable initiative.” He described it as consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and Diaspora engagement.
Abu-Obe assured NECO of the Mission’s full cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.
NAN