The National Examinations Council (NECO) has opened a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom (UK), to serve Nigerians living abroad.
This move, according to the Council, is part of its global expansion drive aimed at offering credible and accessible assessments to Nigerians in the diaspora.
The new centre was officially unveiled during the Education Matters Conference UK 2025.
NECO’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative was developed in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd, emphasizing that it would benefit students and adult learners who could not complete their secondary education or obtain equivalent certificates.
Creating Opportunities for Nigerians in the Diaspora
Prof. Wushishi explained that the goal of the new centre is to make quality education accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of location, in line with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement.
“Our objective is to provide credible and accessible examination opportunities for Nigerians residing abroad,” he said in a statement signed by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani.
He added that the London centre represents a strategic step in extending NECO’s global reach.
Currently, NECO administers examinations in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with additional centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.
Strengthening Global Recognition of NECO Certificates
The Registrar highlighted that NECO certificates are gaining recognition internationally, with several UK universities such as Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University already accepting them for admission.
The certificates are also recognized by institutions in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
According to Wushishi, the London centre will empower Nigerians abroad, promote national pride, and further solidify NECO’s status as a globally respected examination body.
Minister Commends NECO’s Diaspora Initiative
Reacting to the development, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended NECO for taking a major step toward ensuring that “no Nigerian child, at home or abroad, is left behind.”
He stated that the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s vision to leverage the Nigerian diaspora as a valuable educational resource that contributes to national development.