LONDON (FN) — Nigeria’s National Examinations Council (NECO) has launched its first examination center in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in its global expansion and efforts to serve Nigerians in the diaspora.
The new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) center, located in London, was unveiled during the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025.” NECO partnered with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education) to establish the facility, which will offer standardized Nigerian exams to students and adult learners residing in the UK.
“This initiative is about inclusion and opportunity,” said NECO Registrar and Chief Executive Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi. “We’re extending access to credible assessments for Nigerians abroad who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.”
Wushishi said the move aligns with the Nigerian government’s education policy on global engagement and inclusivity. He emphasized that the London center is part of a broader strategy to ensure no Nigerian is left behind, regardless of location.
The registrar also highlighted NECO’s ongoing reforms, including a full transition to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE). He described the digital shift as “the single most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future and its standing as a world-class assessment body.”
NECO currently operates in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, and is preparing to open new centers in Egypt and Burkina Faso. Wushishi said the London facility would bring “far-reaching benefits,” including diaspora empowerment, enhanced national pride, and increased global recognition of Nigerian qualifications.
He added that NECO certificates are already accepted by several UK institutions, including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, as well as universities in the United States, Canada, China, India, and Russia.
In a goodwill message, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised the initiative, calling it a “bold step” that aligns with the Ministry’s vision to ensure educational access for all Nigerian children, both at home and abroad.
“This is more than an exam center,” Alausa said. “It’s a bridge between Nigeria and its global citizens, and a testament to our commitment to inclusive education.”
Education analysts say the move could strengthen Nigeria’s soft power abroad and improve academic mobility for diaspora students seeking international opportunities.
