The National Examinations Council has opened a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, to give Nigerians in the diaspora easier access to its exams.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Professor Ibrahim Wushishi, said the move would help Nigerians abroad complete their secondary education and obtain recognised qualifications.
“The NECO SSCE Centre with Barnfield Education, London, United Kingdom, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora,” Wushishi said at the Education Matters Conference UK 2025.
In a statement by the Acting Head of Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the NECO boss explained that the plan was part of efforts to make the council’s exams more accessible globally. He said the goal was to support the Federal Government’s policy of inclusiveness and global education engagement.
Wushishi noted that NECO now conducts its Senior School Certificate Examination in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, and has pending accreditation for new centres in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
“Our global expansion is accelerating, as we currently have new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso, further solidifying NECO as a premier African assessment body,” he said.
He added that NECO’s ongoing migration to computer-based testing remained its most important objective.
“Our commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination is the single most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body,” he stated.
Wushishi said the new centre would strengthen Nigeria’s education image globally, empower the diaspora community, and attract international recognition for NECO certificates.
He added that NECO certificates are accepted by top universities in the United Kingdom, such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, praised the council for setting up the London centre, describing it as part of the ministry’s goal to reach every Nigerian child, including those abroad.
“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,” Alausa said.
Also speaking, the Director of Barnfield Education, NECO’s UK partner, Dr John Ibanga, said the centre would help Nigerian students in the UK who face difficulties meeting local education standards.
“The new NECO SSCE Centre in London provides an alternative pathway, offering recognised qualifications that support further education and vocational advancement,” Ibanga said.
He added that the initiative would benefit both young learners and adults seeking career or academic growth.
NECO has previously established centres in countries such as Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia. The council said it remains focused on promoting credible and accessible education both within and outside Africa.
