The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its global operations with the establishment of a new examination centre in London, United Kingdom, in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education). In a statement by Azeez Sani, Ag. Director, Information and Public Relations, the initiative marks a major step in NECO’s efforts to extend access to education for Nigerians in the diaspora and aligns with the Federal Government’s policy on inclusivity and global engagement.
The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, explained that the London centre will serve Nigerian students and adult learners in the UK who have been unable to complete secondary education or obtain equivalent qualifications, thereby providing a credible alternative pathway for academic and professional advancement. He noted that NECO’s strategic goal of becoming a world-class assessment body is being realized through the full adoption of Computer-Based Examination (CBE).
The Boss stated that the examinations are now conducted in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, while new centres are awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso. The establishment of the London centre offers multiple benefits such as empowering the Nigerian diaspora, promoting educational advancement, and enhancing national pride. NECO certificates are globally recognized and accepted by institutions including Birmingham City University and Leeds Trinity University in the UK, as well as universities in the United States, Canada, India, China, and Russia.
The Federal Ministry of Education described the development as a timely contribution to the Ministry’s commitment to serve all Nigerian children, including those abroad. The Ministry reaffirmed that the accreditation of BEP Education is part of a broader strategy to expand NECO’s global reach and strengthen the credibility of Nigerian education. The Director of Barnfield Education Ltd, Dr. John Ibanga, stated that the new centre will support Nigerian students in the UK facing challenges within the British education system by providing an alternative qualification that enables further education and vocational advancement.
In a related development, the NECO delegation, led by Prof. Wushishi, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian High Commission in London to announce the accreditation of the new centre. Officials of the High Commission commended NECO for the initiative, describing it as consistent with Nigeria’s policy on educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement, and pledged their support for its success.
