The National Examinations Council (NECO) continues to broaden its horizons with the accreditation of more foreign schools to administer its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This expansion, announced on Saturday, now includes schools in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea, adding to NECO’s growing presence across Africa and beyond.
Accreditation Process
Azeez Sani, NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, revealed in a statement that the council’s accreditation team recently visited the newly added schools. The team evaluated the facilities to ensure they met NECO’s standards for conducting examinations.
“The Accreditation Team inspected Classrooms, Laboratories, Libraries, Computer Laboratories, Workshops, Examination Halls, and Sports facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations,” the statement read.
Following a rigorous assessment, the schools were granted full accreditation to host SSCE and BECE examinations.
This development reflects NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment opportunities beyond Nigeria’s borders. With the inclusion of these schools, NECO aims to position itself as a leading examination body in Africa, offering accessible and standardized assessments to students worldwide.
First External SSCE Centre Established
In another milestone, NECO has established its first SSCE external examination center outside Nigeria at the UNHCR School in Diffa, Niger Republic. Candidates are currently participating in the ongoing NECO SSCE External exams at this center, marking a significant step in the council’s international expansion.
NECO’s Growing Footprint
NECO’s examinations are now written in several countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and even the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This growth underscores the council’s vision of advancing education across Africa and supporting students in diverse regions.
Implications for African Education
The expansion of NECO’s reach is expected to enhance educational access for students in neighboring countries, fostering regional collaboration and elevating the standards of education. By offering quality assessment services, NECO is helping to shape a future where African students can compete on a global scale.
With its latest achievements, NECO is not just solidifying its reputation as Nigeria’s premier examination body but is also setting the stage to become a continental leader in education assessment. This initiative underscores NECO’s dedication to fostering academic excellence and expanding opportunities for students across Africa and beyond.
