The National Examinations Council (NECO) has taken a bold step toward international expansion with the establishment of its first examination centre in London, United Kingdom. The initiative, unveiled by NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), marks a milestone in extending educational opportunities to Nigerians living abroad.
Speaking at the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, organised by NECO to announce its presence in the UK, Prof. Wushishi described the development as a major breakthrough in promoting inclusivity and access to quality education for Nigerians in the diaspora. He explained that the new London centre would cater to Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who were unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
According to a statement by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement, ensuring credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians abroad. Prof. Wushishi further highlighted NECO’s progress under his leadership since 2021, noting that the full migration to Computer-Based Examination (CBE) remains the council’s “most critical strategic objective” toward achieving world-class assessment standards.
He revealed that NECO’s Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) is now conducted in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso. “Our global expansion is accelerating,” he said, adding that the London centre represents a “game-changer” that will empower Nigerians in the diaspora, boost national pride, and strengthen Nigeria’s global educational reputation.
Prof. Wushishi also disclosed that NECO certificates are recognized by several top UK universities — including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University — and accepted globally in countries such as the USA, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
In his goodwill message, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, commended the initiative as a reflection of the ministry’s dedication to making quality education accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of location. “Every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally,” he said, describing the accreditation of BEP Education as “the first step in a broader strategy to make Nigerian education a globally respected brand.”
Dr. John Ibanga, Director of Barnfield Education Ltd and NECO’s UK partner, said the conference was designed to launch NECO’s presence in the UK and raise awareness of the new examination centre. He noted that many Nigerian children in the UK face challenges adapting to the British education system, particularly those unable to obtain GCSE qualifications. The NECO SSCE centre, he said, would provide a valuable alternative pathway, offering recognized credentials for further studies and vocational advancement.
During the visit, Prof. Wushishi also led a NECO delegation to the Nigerian High Commission in London to formally notify the mission of the centre’s establishment. He emphasized that the UK, home to a large Nigerian community, is a strategic hub for educational access and diaspora engagement.
Responding on behalf of the mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Head of Political Affairs, hailed the development as “a timely and commendable effort consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.” He assured NECO of the High Commission’s full support in advancing Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom.