The National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, as part of its strategy to extend its services to Nigerians abroad.
According to a statement by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the new centre is located at Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), London.
Unveiling the centre during the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025,” NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative would provide opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who have been unable to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
Wushishi explained that NECO’s presence in the UK aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement, adding that the council remains committed to offering credible and accessible examinations to Nigerians in the diaspora.
Highlighting his achievements since assuming office in 2021, the Registrar said NECO is advancing toward a full migration to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE), describing it as the council’s most critical strategic goal in achieving world-class assessment standards.
He also disclosed that NECO’s Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is now conducted in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
The Registrar noted that the London centre would empower Nigerians in the diaspora, boost national pride, and enhance Nigeria’s global educational presence. He added that NECO certificates are recognised by prestigious institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as universities in the USA, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the development, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s vision to ensure access to quality education for all Nigerian children, including those abroad. He described the accreditation of BEP Education as the first step in expanding NECO’s international footprint.
Director of BEP Education, Dr. John Ibanga, said the conference served to launch NECO’s presence in the UK and raise awareness of the new examination centre. He pointed out that many Nigerian students in the UK face challenges within the British education system and that the new NECO centre provides an alternative route to recognised qualifications.
Other speakers at the event lauded NECO’s initiative and pledged to support efforts to promote the SSCE CBE Centre among Nigerians in the UK.
Meanwhile, Prof. Wushishi led a NECO delegation on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, where they briefed officials on the new centre’s establishment. The Head of Political Affairs, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, commended NECO for the move and assured the delegation of the High Commission’s support in advancing Nigeria’s educational and developmental interests in the UK.
