NECO Expands Global Reach as Burkina Faso Schools Secure Accreditation

Abuja — The National Examinations Council (NECO) has extended its international footprint to Burkina Faso after granting full accreditation to several schools to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

In a statement on Sunday, signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NECO, Azeez Sani, the council accreditation team visited the approved schools where they carried out a comprehensive evaluation to determine their readiness for the examinations.

According Sani the team assessed classrooms, libraries, laboratories, workshops, computer labs, examination halls, sports facilities, continuous assessment records, as well as teacher adequacy and school security.

According to NECO, all evaluated institutions met the required standards and have now been approved to host SSCE and BECE examinations. The Council described the development as a reaffirmation of its mission to enhance access to credible assessment services across Africa.

The expansion into Burkina Faso follows NECO’s recent establishment of a centre in London and is in addition to existing centres in Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Ambassador M.D. Galadima, praised NECO’s efforts during a courtesy visit by the accreditation team to the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou.

He noted that Nigerian families in the Francophone nation had long struggled due to differences in educational systems and the shortage of English-language schools.

“Previously, parents had to take their children to Saki in Oyo State to register and write the examination. This exposed them to security risks and imposed significant financial strain on families,” he said.

Galadima added that the newly accredited centres will ease this burden, improving access for school owners and parents.

Dr. Uche Ezenwanne, leader of NECO’s accreditation team, explained that the approval allows Nigerian students living in Burkina Faso to take NECO examinations without travelling back home, reinforcing the Council’s prominence as a leading examining body on the continent.

NECO Expands Global Reach, Opens New Exam Centre in London

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its global footprint with the establishment of a new Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Centre in London, in partnership with Barnfield Education Ltd (BEP Education).

Unveiling the centre, NECO Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the initiative strengthens access to quality education for Nigerians in the diaspora, in line with the Federal Government’s inclusivity policy.

“Our commitment to full migration to Computer-Based Examination is the single most critical strategic objective for NECO’s future,” Wushishi said in a statement on Sunday. “Eliminating educational barriers for Nigerians abroad is both achievable and urgent.”

Speaking at the Education Matters Conference UK 2025, he revealed that NECO SSCE is now administered in seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, with new centres awaiting accreditation in Egypt and Burkina Faso.

Education Minister Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa hailed the move as “a major milestone in making Nigerian education a globally respected brand,” while BEP Education Director, Dr. John Ibanga, described the centre as “an alternative pathway for Nigerian students in the UK facing GCSE challenges.”

The Nigerian High Commission in London pledged support for NECO’s initiative, describing it as “a timely and commendable step toward educational inclusivity and diaspora engagement.”

NECO certificates are recognised by universities in the UK, USA, Canada, China, India, and Russia.

NECO Expands Global Reach, Accredits More Schools Abroad

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the accreditation of additional schools in Equatorial Guinea to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

In a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NECO, Mr. Azeez Sani stated that the newly accredited schools in addition to the existing ones, are in Bata, the largest city in Equitorial Guinea.

“The accreditation of these schools demonstrates our dedication to providing quality education and assessment internationally.

“The NECO Accreditation Team conducted thorough evaluations, inspecting classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and sports facilities to ensure readiness for the examinations.”

After a comprehensive assessment, the newly accredited schools received full SSCE and BECE accreditation status. “We assess not only the physical infrastructure but also the adequacy of teachers and school security to ensure a conducive learning environment,” it adds.

With this latest initiative, NECO positions itself as a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigerian students and foreign nationals alike. The council now oversees examinations in countries including Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and Saudi Arabia.