The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its international reach by accrediting additional foreign schools to administer the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

These newly accredited centres are located in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea, bringing NECO’s presence in these countries to a wider range of students.

The council’s accreditation team visited the schools to evaluate their readiness and ensure they meet the necessary standards for conducting the exams.

In a statement released by Azeez Sani, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, NECO outlined the extensive inspections carried out at the schools.

The assessment covered classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, sports facilities, and examination halls to ensure they were adequate for NECO’s high standards.

“After a thorough and rigorous evaluation, the schools were granted full accreditation to conduct both the SSCE and BECE,” Sani said, emphasizing NECO’s commitment to providing high-quality education and examination services beyond Nigeria’s borders.

This expansion of accredited centres reflects NECO’s ambition to become a leading examination body across Africa, offering students worldwide access to its expertise and contributing to the advancement of education in the region and beyond.

Currently, candidates in Niger Republic are taking part in the ongoing NECO SSCE External, with the UNHCR School in Diffa, Niger, becoming the first external centre for the SSCE outside Nigeria.

With this growth, NECO examinations are now accessible to candidates in several countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Saudi Arabia.

Victor Ifeanyi Eneh, a young and accomplished engineer from Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering by the prestigious Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), marking a significant milestone in his academic and professional journey.

Eneh, who holds multiple qualifications, including a Masters Degree in Engineering, an MBA, and membership in various professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE), the Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM), the Society of Petroleum Engineers (MISOPN), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MNIEEE), and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (MNIPE), has proven to be a dedicated and multi-faceted individual.

The young engineer, known for his innovation and contributions to the engineering field, expressed immense gratitude for the support from his family, colleagues, and mentors who helped him throughout his rigorous academic journey.

His research, which focuses on advancements in engineering systems and sustainable energy solutions, has already caught the attention of key players in the industry.

Speaking on Saturday during ESUT’s 20th Convocation ceremony held at the university campus in Agbani, Dr. Eneh emphasized his commitment to further contributing to technological and engineering advancements in Nigeria.

His academic success adds to the growing reputation of Enugu as a hub for young, ambitious professionals making their mark in various fields.

The ceremony, which was attended by several dignitaries, family, and friends, celebrated not only Dr. Eneh’s academic success but also his contributions to the engineering sector.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has praised the rapid transformation of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), which is regaining its status as a center of excellence.

Speaking at the university’s 20th Convocation Ceremony held at Agbani, Mbah highlighted the significant progress the institution has made and the plans for further development.

During the ceremony, Governor Mbah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration and Corporate Governance in recognition of his contributions to education and good governance.

He also announced his administration’s plans to establish a Centre for Experiential Learning at ESUT, aimed at fostering innovation among students and faculty.

In addition, Mbah disclosed that he had secured a N50 million grant for Professor Cyprian Mgbachi, a local inventor known for developing a cooking stove-powered cellphone battery charger, to further enhance his technology.

Mbah also pledged ongoing support for other innovative projects within the university.

The Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, announced that a total of 8,437 students had graduated with various degrees, including First Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s Degrees, and Doctorates. Nine graduates earned First Class honors.

The Vice Chancellor also emphasized that 97% of the university’s programs have been fully accredited, thanks to significant investments from Mbah’s administration in the education sector.

Governor Mbah remarked on the university’s commitment to technological advancement, noting the diverse array of products displayed at the exhibition pavilion, ranging from biotechnology to pharmacology.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming higher education in the state by implementing a new policy that mandates Experiential Learning across all state-owned tertiary institutions in Enugu.

This policy will influence the planning, curriculum, and assessment frameworks at these institutions.

As part of the ongoing efforts to expand ESUT, Mbah announced that his administration had invested over N1.6 billion in infrastructural development to alleviate space constraints at the university’s Park Lane campus.

The governor also outlined several other initiatives, including funding for the renovation of key facilities at the College of Medicine, procurement of essential equipment for various health-related programs, and major interventions in the fields of nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical engineering.

In his address to the graduates, Mbah encouraged them to remain committed to excellence and to leverage technology in their careers, while maintaining strong connections with the university.

He emphasized that ESUT would continue to play a crucial role in supplying skilled professionals in areas critical to the state’s development, such as health, engineering, ICT, and agriculture.

At the convocation, the Governor was also joined by Austrian investor Mr. Bernd Bergmair, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration for his proven integrity and business achievements.

This marks the first time that ESUT has conferred an honorary doctorate on a foreign national.

The ceremony also celebrated the university’s best-performing students. Osita Tracy Ezinne from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences emerged as the overall best graduate with a CGPA of 4.88, followed by Chukwudebe Pearl Ewere and Odoeme Ogechi Eunice, who secured second and third positions, respectively.

In recognition of Professor Mgbachi’s groundbreaking invention, Mr. Bergmair contributed an additional N52 million to the N50 million already pledged by the state government, bringing the total support for the inventor to N102 million.