The National Examinations Council (NECO) has broadened its international operations by officially approving selected schools in Burkina Faso to host its examinations. This milestone marks another major advancement in the council’s growing global expansion.

Accreditation Granted After Comprehensive Assessment

In a statement released in Abuja, NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, confirmed that the council will begin administering both the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Burkina Faso.

He explained that the approval was issued after a thorough on-site evaluation carried out by NECO’s accreditation team.

According to him, the team assessed the schools’ readiness by inspecting:

• Classrooms
  
• Science laboratories
  
• Libraries
  
• ICT and computer rooms
  
• Technical workshops
  
• Examination halls
  
• Sports infrastructure
  
• Security systems
  

The evaluators also reviewed the institutions’ Continuous Assessment (CA) records, teacher strength, and overall learning environment. After completing the detailed inspection, the selected schools were certified fully eligible to conduct NECO examinations.

Expanding NECO’s Global Reach

Sani emphasized that this development reflects NECO’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable assessment services beyond Nigeria’s borders. He highlighted the council’s growing international presence, noting that NECO is steadily positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading examination bodies.

He also referenced the council’s recent establishment of an examination centre in London, as well as its existing centres in:

• Togo
  
• Benin Republic
  
• Niger Republic
  
• Equatorial Guinea
  
• Côte d’Ivoire
  
• Saudi Arabia
  

Positive Impact on Nigerian Families Living in Burkina Faso

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. M. D. Galadima, praised the accreditation, describing it as a welcome relief for Nigerian parents residing in the country. He noted that families had faced serious difficulties caused by differences in educational systems.

Before this approval, many parents were forced to take their children to Saki, Oyo State, to register and sit for NECO examinations an arrangement that often posed safety concerns and created heavy financial strain for families and school owners.

Galadima explained that the new accreditation eliminates these challenges and reduces travel-related risks. He encouraged Nigerians living in Burkina Faso to make full use of the opportunity by enrolling their children for NECO exams locally.

A Major Opportunity for Students Abroad

Dr. Uche Ezenwanne, the head of the accreditation team, noted that the newly granted approval means Nigerian students in Burkina Faso will be able to sit for NECO’s SSCE and BECE without traveling back to Nigeria.

He added that the expansion reinforces NECO’s reputation as a top examination body within Africa and opens more doors for students seeking standardized assessment outside Nigeria.