The National Examinations Council (NECO) has made headlines with its bold decision to officially accredit several schools in Burkina Faso, a move that dramatically boosts its international footprint and showcases its ambition to dominate the education sector across Africa.

This groundbreaking announcement came from NECO's Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani, who clearly outlines that these accredited institutions are now authorized to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Burkina Faso. This expansion is nothing short of a triumph for NECO!

In a statement dripping with enthusiasm, Sani revealed that this initiative followed a rigorous evaluation by an NECO accreditation team that meticulously combed through schools in Burkina Faso. They inspected everything from classrooms to laboratories, ensuring these institutions met the high standards expected of NECO. What a thorough process, right?

“The team also reviewed the schools’ Continuous Assessment (CA) records, assessed teacher adequacy, and examined the overall learning environment to determine the institutions' suitability for NECO examinations,” Sani elaborated. This rigorous scrutiny ultimately led to granting full accreditation, a testament to NECO's commitment to excellence!

NECO’s expansion into Burkina Faso is not just a minor footnote; it demonstrates a clear commitment to enhancing educational opportunities beyond Nigeria's borders. Sani was quick to highlight NECO's growing global influence, asserting that it is on track to become Africa’s leading examination body,how ambitious!

Moreover, the recent establishment of an examination center in London, alongside existing centers in Togo, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and even Saudi Arabia, underscores NECO's relentless pursuit of education supremacy.

Nigeria's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. M.D. Galadima, couldn't contain his excitement, calling NECO’s expansion a major relief for Nigerian families grappling with the complexities of differing educational systems and the lack of English-language schools in the region. “Previously, parents had to send their children to Saki, Oyo State, to register for examinations, exposing them to security risks and financial burdens,” he lamented. Now, thanks to NECO, those days are over!

Galadima urged the Nigerian community in Burkina Faso to jump at this golden opportunity to register their children for NECO examinations, emphasizing the pressing need for accessible education. This is a rallying call for families to seize the moment!

Uche Ezenwanne, who led the accreditation team, joined in the excitement, stating that this initiative will allow Nigerian students in Burkina Faso to sit for their exams without the hassle of traveling back to Nigeria. This is a monumental step toward solidifying NECO’s status as Africa’s premier examination body.

This accreditation marks a watershed moment for NECO and is a beacon of hope for Nigerian families in Burkina Faso, ensuring their children can access quality education and assessment opportunities,all in a language they understand.