The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its global operations with the establishment of a new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre in London, United Kingdom (UK).
Dantani Wushishi, NECO registrar, unveiled the new centre in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), London. He said the initiative aims to expand access to quality education for Nigerians in the diaspora.
Wushishi spoke at the Education Matters conference UK 2025, organised by NECO to sensitise stakeholders to its presence in the United Kingdom.
According to him, the London centre will provide Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK—especially those unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications—with credible examination opportunities.
“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,” he said.
He noted that NECO’s global expansion now covers seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
Wushishi said the London centre would empower the Nigerian diaspora, boost national pride, and create social and economic benefits. He added that NECO certificates are recognised by leading universities such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, said the establishment of the UK centre aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive education.
“The diaspora is not just a community to serve, but a resource to be empowered. Every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally,” he said.
He commended NECO for the move, describing it as “the first step in a broader strategy to expand the Council’s reach globally and make Nigerian education a respected international brand.”
John Ibanga, director of Barnfield Education Ltd and NECO’s UK partner, said many Nigerian students in the UK struggle within the British education system, especially those who fail to meet GCSE requirements.
He said the new NECO SSCE centre would provide an alternative pathway for such learners to obtain recognised qualifications for further education and career advancement.
Other speakers at the conference praised NECO for the initiative and pledged to mobilise support for the London centre.
In a related development, the NECO delegation led by Wushishi paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London.
The registrar informed the mission that NECO had accredited BEP Education as an authorised examination centre, in line with the Federal Government’s policy of expanding access to education for Nigerians abroad through the CBE model.
Eche Abu-Obe, head of political affairs at the high commission, commended NECO’s initiative, describing it as “a timely and commendable effort consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.”
He assured that the mission would continue to collaborate with NECO to promote Nigeria’s educational and developmental goals in the UK.
