The National Examinations Council (NECO) has officially accredited selected schools in Burkina Faso to host its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), marking a significant step in the body’s international expansion.
According to a statement released in Abuja by NECO’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, the decision follows a comprehensive assessment by NECO teams who evaluated classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer facilities, workshops, examination halls, sports infrastructure, and security measures.
The evaluation also reviewed teacher adequacy, continuous assessment records, and overall learning conditions.
Sani described the accreditation as a milestone that underscores NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and examination services beyond Nigeria. “With this expansion, Nigerian students and other eligible foreign nationals in Burkina Faso can benefit from NECO’s expertise without the need to travel abroad,” he said.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, M.D. Galadima, lauded the initiative, highlighting the relief it provides for families who previously faced long trips to Nigeria to register and sit for exams, incurring both security risks and financial costs.
Uche Ezenwanne, leader of the accreditation team, noted that this move strengthens NECO’s position as one of Africa’s foremost examination bodies, joining existing centres in countries including the United Kingdom, Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Saudi Arabia.
Parents and Nigerian students in Burkina Faso have been encouraged to register for the upcoming examinations, which are expected to make education more accessible and reduce the burdens historically associated with sitting NECO exams abroad.
