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The National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, in line with its determination to expand its global presence. Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, who unveiled the new centre in London, explained that the NECO Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), London, United Kingdom, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora. Wushishi, who presented a keynote address at the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025”, organised by the Council to sensitise stakeholders on NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom, stated that the establishment of the centre would create opportunities for Nigerian students and adult learners in the United Kingdom who, for various reasons, have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications. He explained that NECO’s objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad, in line with the Federal Government’s education policy on inclusivity and global engagement. The Registrar, who reeled out some of his major achievements since his assumption of office in 2021, stated that “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”. Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said Wushishi, who expressed NECO’s commitment to the Nigerian diaspora and the wider African educational landscape, disclosed that the NECO SSCE is now successfully administered in seven countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He explained that “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”. According to him, the establishment of a NECO SSCE centre at BEP Education in London offers profound and far-reaching benefits, such as direct empowerment of the diaspora, elevation of national pride and global standing, economic and social dividends, and leveraging proven educational capacity. The Registrar disclosed that the NECO certificate is accepted and recognised by prestigious UK institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, adding that “NECO certificates are also accepted worldwide, including in the USA, Canada, India, China and Russia, among others”. In his goodwill message at the conference, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the establishment of the NECO SSCE centre in London aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s mandate to serve every Nigerian child, including those in the diaspora. He stated that the Federal Ministry of Education views the diaspora not just as a community to serve, but as a resource to be empowered, stressing that “every Nigerian student deserves an education that enables them to compete and thrive globally”. The Minister, who commended NECO for the initiative, stated that “the accreditation of BEP Education is the first step in a broader strategy to expand NECO’s reach to other strategic locations globally, turning Nigerian education into a universally respected and easily accessible brand”. The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), who is also NECO’s UK-based partner, Dr John Ibanga, in his address, said the conference was aimed at launching NECO’s presence in the United Kingdom and creating awareness about the new NECO examination centre in London. Ibanga disclosed that many Nigerian children in the United Kingdom encounter challenges within the British education system, particularly those unable to achieve the required GCSE qualifications. He stated that such students often face limited progression opportunities, leading to educational disengagement and exposure to social vulnerabilities. According to him, the new NECO SSCE centre in London could serve as an alternative pathway, providing such students with recognised qualifications for further education and vocational advancement. Ibanga explained that NECO certificates are already accepted by several UK universities and that this initiative would benefit both young learners and adults seeking academic or career development. Other speakers at the conference commended NECO for the initiative and pledged to sensitise other Nigerians in the United Kingdom to support and patronise the NECO SSCE CBE centre in London. In a related development, the Registrar, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, led the NECO delegation on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London. Prof Wushishi said the visit was to inform the Nigerian High Commission of the establishment and accreditation of a NECO examination centre in the United Kingdom. He disclosed that NECO already operates similar centres in several African countries and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Registrar stated that the UK, being home to a large Nigerian population, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora. Wushishi disclosed that NECO had assessed and accredited a UK-based educational institution to serve as an authorised centre for the administration of NECO examinations. He explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s policy of expanding access to quality education for Nigerians in the diaspora through the CBE model. The Registrar expressed gratitude to the Mission for its support and affirmed that, in other countries where NECO operates, the Council maintains official communication channels with Nigerian embassies and high commissions, especially for the coordination of examination activities and public sensitisation. The Head of Political Affairs in the Commission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, in his response on behalf of the Mission, commended NECO for the initiative and described it “as a timely and commendable effort consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement”. Ambassador Abu-Obe assured the NECO delegation that the Mission would collaborate with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental objectives in the United Kingdom. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
