NECO Launches London Exam Centre To Expand Access For Nigerians Abroad
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially launched a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy to offer credible assessment opportunities for Nigerians living abroad.
The new centre, unveiled during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, was established in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd. NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative was created to assist Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who, for various reasons, were unable to complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications.
“Our aim is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora, in line with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement,” Wushishi stated in a release signed by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani.
He described the establishment of the London Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) centre as a significant milestone in NECO’s effort to extend its global reach. Wushishi added that the council now conducts examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting approval in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
According to him, the London centre will empower Nigerians abroad, promote national pride, and enhance international recognition of NECO certificates, which are already accepted by several universities across the UK — including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University — as well as institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, applauded NECO for the move, describing it as a vital step toward ensuring that “no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.” He noted that the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s mission to strengthen educational collaboration with the Nigerian diaspora community.
The Director of BEP Education and NECO’s UK partner, Dr. John Ibanga, said the new centre would serve as an alternative route for Nigerian students in the UK who face barriers within the British education system, particularly those unable to earn the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
“Many Nigerian children encounter limitations in the UK education system that hinder their academic progress. This new NECO SSCE centre offers a recognised and credible alternative for both young learners and adults pursuing academic or vocational advancement,” Ibanga explained.
During a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London, Prof. Wushishi briefed the Mission on the establishment and accreditation of the centre, reaffirming that the UK remains a strategic base for expanding educational opportunities for Nigerians abroad.
The Head of Political Affairs at the Mission, Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, commended NECO’s move as “a timely and commendable initiative” consistent with Nigeria’s commitment to educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.
“The Mission will continue to work closely with NECO to advance Nigeria’s educational and developmental goals in the United Kingdom,” Abu-Obe assured.
