NIGERIA: NECO Opens First Examination Centre in the United Kingdom

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, marking its first presence in Europe.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, announced the development during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025. The centre, established in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), is designed to expand access to secondary education for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Prof. Wushishi explained that the establishment of the centre represents a strategic effort to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad.

He said: “The establishment of the centre would create opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the United Kingdom who for various reasons have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.”

He added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement.

Since assuming office in 2021, Wushishi said NECO has prioritized digital transformation and international recognition.

He noted: “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.”

The NECO Registrar disclosed that the SSCE is now administered in seven countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that new centres are awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.

He also mentioned that NECO certificates are accepted by universities in the United Kingdom such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.

In his goodwill message at the conference, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for the initiative. He said the move aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s mandate to serve every Nigerian child, 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,” Dr. Alausa said.

The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd, Dr. John Ibanga, who serves as NECO’s UK partner, said the conference aimed to launch NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom and raise awareness about the new centre. He noted that many Nigerian children in the UK face challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to achieve the required GCSE qualifications.

He explained: “Such students often face limited progression opportunities, leading to educational disengagement and exposure to social vulnerabilitie.”

According to him, the NECO SSCE Centre in London will serve as an alternative pathway for Nigerian students to obtain recognized qualifications for further education and career advancement.

“NECO Certificates are already accepted by several UK universities, and this initiative will benefit both young learners and adults seeking academic or career development,” Ibanga said.

Other speakers at the conference commended NECO for the initiative and urged Nigerians in the United Kingdom to support and patronize the new examination centre.

In a related development, the NECO delegation, led by Prof. Wushishi, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria High Commission in London, where discussions were held on strengthening educational collaboration between Nigeria and the UK.