The National Examinations Council, NECO, has expanded its international presence by accrediting schools in Burkina Faso to host its examinations. This development enables the council to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, and the Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, in the West African country.
According to NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, the accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment visit to selected schools in Burkina Faso. The evaluation team inspected facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and examination halls, as well as reviewed the schools’ Continuous Assessment records, teacher adequacy, and general learning environment.
The expansion into Burkina Faso underscores NECO’s commitment to delivering quality education and assessment services beyond Nigeria’s borders. With its growing global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefit from its expertise. The council has established examination centers in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. M.D. Galadima, commended NECO for the expansion, noting that it would alleviate challenges faced by Nigerian families in the country. Previously, parents had to travel to Nigeria to register their children for examinations, exposing them to security risks and financial burdens. The accreditation is expected to eliminate these risks and reduce financial strain on families.
The leader of the accreditation team, Dr. Uche Ezenwanne, stated that the move would enable Nigerian students living in Burkina Faso to write SSCE and BECE without traveling back to Nigeria. This development reinforces NECO’s position as a prominent examination body in Africa. The council’s expansion is expected to provide more opportunities for students in the region to access quality education and assessment services.
The accreditation of schools in Burkina Faso is a significant step in NECO’s efforts to increase its international footprint. As the council continues to expand its presence in Africa and beyond, it is likely to play a more prominent role in shaping the education sector in the region. With its commitment to delivering quality education and assessment services, NECO is well-positioned to become a leading examination body in Africa.