By Adesina Quadri Ademola (TAA)
National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, in other to expand access to quality education for Nigerians abroad.
The centre, unveiled during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, marks a major step in NECO’s global expansion plan to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora.
NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative, developed in partnership with Barnfield Education Limited, would allow Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK to sit for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) — the same qualification conducted across Nigeria.
“This centre gives Nigerians living in the UK a chance to obtain a recognised secondary school qualification without having to travel back home,” Wushishi said. “It is part of our commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and international credibility.”
The NECO boss noted that the London centre would serve as a lifeline for Nigerians who, due to various challenges, could not complete secondary education or secure equivalent credentials under the British system.
According to him, the examination centre would also boost the global recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other countries.
He disclosed that the Council now conducts its examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting approval in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, praised NECO’s initiative, describing it as “a strategic step to ensure no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.”
Dr John Ibanga, Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, said the London centre would provide a credible alternative for Nigerian students who struggle to navigate the UK’s education system, especially those unable to obtain the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
"The NECO SSCE Centre in London will open doors for many Nigerian learners seeking further studies or professional advancement,” Ibanga added.
During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, the NECO Registrar assured officials that the centre would maintain the same standards of integrity and quality that define the Council’s examinations in Nigeria.
Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, who represented the Mission’s Head of Political Affairs, commended NECO’s efforts, describing the project as “a milestone that strengthens Nigeria’s educational identity and presence abroad.”
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