The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is conducted by the West African examination council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO). The two examination boards have similar but different responsibilities for conducting the BECE. 

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) is authorized to conduct the BECE for all public secondary schools and approved private secondary schools in Nigeria. The WAEC BECE is often called the Junior WAEC.  Candidates in the third year of the Junior Secondary School are qualified to sit for the junior WAEC in June/July of every year.  

For students who intend to continue their senior secondary school education in any Federal Unity Colleges, Armed Forces Secondary Schools, and other Federal establishments operating Secondary schools in Nigeria, such student must sit for the NECO BECE. Private Secondary schools also take part in the NECO BECE provided they are recognized by their State Ministries of Education.