Determined to reach more Nigerians abroad, the National Examinations Council (NECO) has opened a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, inaugurated the centre in partnership with Barnfield Education, describing it as a major step toward giving Nigerians in the diaspora better access to education.
“This centre is a strategic move to help Nigerians abroad—both students and adults—who could not complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications,” Wushishi said.
According to NECO’s Acting Head of Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the launch took place during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, organised to raise awareness about NECO’s presence in the UK.
Wushishi explained that the new centre would allow Nigerians living in the UK to take NECO’s Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) just as they would in Nigeria.
He added that NECO exams are already being conducted in seven other countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting approval in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
He also highlighted NECO’s progress under his leadership, noting that the council’s move to fully adopt Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) is a key step in becoming a world-class examining body.
“The establishment of the London centre will not only empower the Nigerian diaspora but also enhance our national pride and global recognition,” he said.
Wushishi noted that NECO certificates are recognised by top universities such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, and are accepted in countries like the U.S., Canada, China, India, and Russia.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised the initiative, saying it aligns with the government’s goal of providing education for all Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
“The diaspora is not just a community to serve but a resource to empower. Every Nigerian student deserves an education that prepares them to compete globally,” Alausa said.
Dr. John Ibanga, Director of Barnfield Education, said many Nigerian children in the UK struggle with the British system and face limited opportunities if they fail to meet the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) requirements.
“The NECO SSCE Centre in London gives them another path—a recognised qualification that can open doors to higher education and career growth,” he said.
Other speakers at the event praised NECO’s foresight and promised to spread awareness among Nigerians in the UK.
NECO has previously accredited schools in Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Saudi Arabia. The first international centre was opened at the UNHCR School in Diffa, Niger Republic.
With the London centre now established, NECO aims to give Nigerians around the world access to credible examinations and further strengthen Nigeria’s reputation in global education.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
