The National Examinations Council (NECO) has opened its first examination centre in London, United Kingdom, in a major move to expand its global reach and provide credible assessment opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The new centre, launched during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, was established in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd.
NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative is part of the Council’s drive to ensure inclusivity in access to quality education for Nigerians abroad.
“Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad, in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement,” Wushishi said.
In a statement issued yesterday by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, Wushishi described the London Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre as a strategic milestone in extending NECO’s global presence.
He disclosed that the Council currently conducts examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, while new centres in Egypt and Burkina Faso are awaiting accreditation.
According to him, the London centre will not only empower Nigerians abroad but also strengthen the global recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by several international institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as universities in the United States, Canada, India, China and Russia.
In his goodwill message, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring that no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.
He said the project aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to harnessing the potential of Nigerians in the diaspora as a key educational resource for national development.
Also speaking, Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr John Ibanga, said the new centre offers an alternative pathway for Nigerian students in the UK who face challenges within the British education system, especially those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
“Many Nigerian children encounter barriers in the UK system that limit their progression. This new NECO SSCE Centre provides a recognised alternative for both young learners and adults seeking academic or vocational advancement,” Ibanga said.
During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Prof. Wushishi briefed officials on the establishment and accreditation process of the new centre, noting that the UK remains a strategic hub for expanding educational access to Nigerians abroad.
Responding, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Head of Political Affairs at the Mission, described NECO’s move as a timely and commendable effort that aligns with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.
“The Mission will collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom,” Abu-Obe said.
