The National Examinations Council (NECO) has extended its examination services to Burkina Faso after granting full accreditation to selected schools in the country. The development marks another significant step in the council’s growing international outreach.
Accreditation Follows Rigorous Evaluation
According to a statement issued in Abuja by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, the council will now conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Burkina Faso.
He explained that the approval followed a detailed assessment visit by a NECO accreditation team.
“During the visit, the team evaluated the readiness of the institutions by inspecting classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, sports facilities, and security architecture.
“They also reviewed the schools’ Continuous Assessment (CA) records, teacher adequacy, and general learning environment to determine suitability for NECO examinations.
“After what was described as a thorough and detailed evaluation, the schools were granted full accreditation to host the SSCE and BECE,” he said.
Strengthening NECO’s International Presence
Sani noted that the expansion highlights NECO’s commitment to improved access to quality assessment services across borders. Moreover, he said the council’s footprint has continued to grow.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for Nigerian students and other foreign nationals worldwide to benefit from its expertise,” he said.
He also recalled the recent establishment of a NECO examination centre in London. Additionally, he mentioned existing centres in Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.
Relief for Nigerian Families in Burkina Faso
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. M. D. Galadima, welcomed the development and described it as a major relief for Nigerian parents in the country. He explained that families had faced serious challenges due to differences in educational systems.
“Previously, parents had to take their children to Saki, Oyo State, to register and write the examination, exposing students and parents to security risks and imposing heavy financial burdens on families and school proprietors,” he said.
He added that the accreditation would reduce these burdens and eliminate travel risks. Furthermore, he encouraged Nigerians living in Burkina Faso to take advantage of the new opportunity and register their children for NECO exams.
A Boost for Students Abroad
Leader of the accreditation team, Dr. Uche Ezenwanne, stated that the approval would allow Nigerian students in Burkina Faso to write their SSCE and BECE without traveling to Nigeria.
He stressed that the expansion would reinforce NECO’s position as a premier examination body on the African continent.