The National Examinations Council (NECO), Nigeria’s premier examination body, has taken a significant step toward enhancing its global presence by accrediting additional schools in Equatorial Guinea to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
This move, announced today, underscores NECO’s commitment to expanding quality education and assessment services beyond Nigeria’s borders, positioning the council as a leading examination authority in Africa.
According to a statement by Azeez Sani, the National Examination Council’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, the newly accredited schools are located in Bata, Equatorial Guinea’s largest city.
This accreditation follows a rigorous evaluation process conducted by the National Examination Council’s Accreditation Team, which assessed the readiness of these institutions, including their classroom facilities, laboratories, and overall capacity to administer the examinations effectively.
The expansion builds on NECO’s existing international presence, where its examinations are already offered in countries such as Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“This accreditation is a testament to NECO’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond Nigeria’s shores,” Sani said.
“By extending our reach, we are not only offering Nigerian students studying abroad the opportunity to benefit from our services but also enabling foreign nationals to access internationally recognized certifications that meet global standards.”
The initiative aligns with NECO’s broader vision to become a dominant force in Africa’s educational landscape.
With this expansion, the council aims to provide a platform for students across the continent to access its robust examination framework, which is renowned for its credibility and rigor.
The SSCE and BECE, key qualifications for secondary and basic education respectively, are critical for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions or transitioning to higher levels of education.
This development follows a similar accreditation earlier announced for schools in Niger Republic, where the National Examination Council established its first-ever SSCE external examination center outside Nigeria, located in Diffa.
The council’s growing international footprint reflects its strategic efforts to foster educational collaboration and support the advancement of learning across Africa and beyond.
NECO, established as Nigeria’s national examination body, is responsible for conducting high-stakes assessments for secondary school students within the country.
However, its recent initiatives signal a transformative shift toward global outreach, catering to the needs of the Nigerian diaspora and international students alike.
The council’s examinations are now recognized as a benchmark for academic excellence, attracting interest from educational institutions worldwide.
In Equatorial Guinea, the accredited schools join an existing network of institutions already authorized to administer NECO exams, further solidifying the council’s presence in the Central African nation.
This expansion is expected to enhance educational opportunities for students in the region, providing them with access to qualifications that are widely accepted in Nigeria and internationally.
Stakeholders have welcomed the development, with education experts praising NECO’s proactive approach to globalization.
“This is a bold step toward positioning Nigeria as a leader in educational innovation across Africa,” said Dr. Fatima Bello, an education consultant based in Lagos. “It not only strengthens NECO’s reputation but also fosters cross-border educational partnerships.”
Looking ahead, NECO plans to continue its expansion, exploring opportunities to accredit schools in other African countries and beyond.
The council’s leadership believes this strategic growth will contribute significantly to the continent’s educational development, offering students access to standardized, high-quality assessments that prepare them for global competitiveness.
For more information, visit the official NECO website at www.neco.gov.ng or follow the council’s updates on social media.
About NECO:
The National Examinations Council (NECO) is Nigeria’s foremost examination body, responsible for conducting credible and reliable assessments for secondary school students.
Established to promote educational excellence, NECO administers the SSCE, BECE, and other key examinations, serving millions of students annually.
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