Abuja: The National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Centre in London, United Kingdom. This initiative aims to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians living abroad, especially those who have been unable to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the acting Director, Information and Public Relations of the council, Azeez Sani, stated that the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, unveiled the centre during the ‘Education Matters Conference UK 2025’. The initiative was organised to sensitise stakeholders about NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom. The new centre was established in collaboration with Barnfield Education Ltd., London.
Prof. Wushishi explained that the London centre represents a strategic expansion to support Nigerians in the diaspora, in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and
global engagement. He emphasised that NECO’s mission is to make quality education and assessment accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of location. He stated that the commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination (CBE) is a critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body.
The registrar disclosed that NECO’s SSCE is currently administered in seven countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso. The establishment of the London centre offers benefits such as empowering the Nigerian diaspora, elevating national pride, enhancing global standing, and fostering socio-economic gains through education.
NECO certificates are widely recognised 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, commend
ed NECO for the initiative, aligning it with the Ministry’s mandate to ensure educational access for every Nigerian child, including those in the diaspora.
Dr. John Ibanga, Director of BEP Education, highlighted that many Nigerian students in the UK face challenges within the British education system, particularly in attaining required GCSE qualifications. The new NECO SSCE Centre provides an alternative pathway for such students, offering recognised qualifications for further education and career advancement.
In a related development, Prof. Wushishi led a NECO delegation on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London. During the event, he briefed officials on the establishment of the examination centre and maintained that NECO communicates officially with Nigerian embassies and high commissions in all countries where it operates, ensuring coordination and transparency. Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Head of Political Affairs, commended NECO for the initiative, describing it as consistent with Nige
ria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.