In its bid to expand its global presence, the National Examinations Council (NECO) has established a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom.

Unveiling the centre, the Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, explained that the NECO SSCE Centre—set up in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), London—marks a strategic step towards expanding educational access for Nigerians in the diaspora.

According to him, 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.

Wushishi made these known while presenting a key note address at the “Education Matters Conference UK 2025”, organized by the Council to sensitize stakeholders on the presence of NECO in the United Kingdom.

In a statement signed by the Council’s Ag. Director, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the Registrar explained that NECO’s objective was 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.

Wushishi 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.”

Expressing NECO’s commitment to the Nigerian Diaspora and the wider African educational landscape, Wushishi disclosed that NECO SSCE was now successfully administered in seven Countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He said: “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 dividend and leveraging proven educational capacity.

The Registrar disclosed that NECO certificate is accepted and recognized by prestigious UK Institutions such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University, adding that “NECO Certificates are also accepted World-wide, including the USA, Canada, India, China and Russia among others”.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa said the establishment of the NECO SSCE Centre in London aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s mandate to serve every Nigeria child, including those in diaspora.

He stated that the Federal ministry of education views the diaspora not just 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, Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education), who is also NECO UK based partner, Dr. John Ibanga, said the Conference was aimed to launch NECO”s Presence in the United Kingdom and to create 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 required GCSE qualification.

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 recognized qualifications for further education and vocational advancement.

Ibanga explained that NECO Certificates were already accepted by several UK Universities and that this initiative would benefit both young learners and adults seeking academic or career development.

In a related development, the Registrar, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi during a courtesy visit to Nigeria High Commission in London, disclosed that NECO already operates similar centres in several African Countries and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Registrar stated that UK being home to a large Nigerian population, represents a strategic location for expanding access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora.

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