The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, Sen. Afolabi Salisu, on Thursday underscored the importance of rigorous testing to prevent flaws in locally developed software, thereby protecting national data.

Salisu said this during TestNigeria 3.0, Nigeria’s Premier Conference on Software Testing, which was organised by the Nigerian Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB) in Lagos.

The theme of the event is: ‘Security in the Spotlight, Safeguarding Digital Frontiers through Quality Assurance’.

Salisu noted that with the global economy increasingly powered by software and information technology, Nigeria must focus on developing high-quality software to drive its digital economy and remain competitive.

He said the country’s growing youth population who were technology savvy presented immense opportunities for innovation and growth.

He noted that the Nigerian software industry had made significant strides, citing the growth of Fintech, commerce, and banking sectors.

He, however, stressed the
need to bridge the gap between local software development and global standards.

‘We must ensure our locally developed software meets international standards to optimise its potential, provide employment opportunities for our youth, and enhance national data security.

‘This will not only boost our digital economy but also safeguard our national data from unnecessary exposure,’ the senator added.

Speaking on commitment, he said the government was making tremendous efforts in developing a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, digital literacy framework and the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.

‘These initiatives demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development and innovation.

‘The National AI Strategy, in particular, has the potential to position Nigeria as a key player in the global AI ecosystem,’ he said.

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He also said Nigeria had made progress in AI, with Nigerian
experts making their mark globally.

He added that a national AI strategy was being developed, and a database of Nigerian AI experts was being compiled.

‘The private sector, academia, and government must work together to create an ecosystem that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and digital literacy,’ he emphasised.

Similarly, Adedeji Olajide, Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity, stressed the role of software quality assurance in propelling Nigeria’s digital economy and national growth.

Olajide, the lawmaker representing Ibadan Northwest/Southwest Federal Constituency, noted that Nigeria’s growing fintech sector required robust security controls to protect citizens’ data and prevent cyber threats.

‘A robust digital identity system, secured by stringent measures, is a prerequisite for a thriving digital economy.

‘As fintechs develop innovative solutions, we must ensure they meet global standards to compete effectively,’ he said.

Olajide said t
hat the National Assembly was working on the e-governance and digital economy bill of 2024, which aimed at providing a legal framework for Nigeria’s digital economy, adding that the bill was currently in its second reading.

He noted that legislators were committed to supporting Nigeria’s digital growth, recognising the immense potential of the sector to drive economic development and job creation.

Olajide added that as Nigeria strives to become a leader in the global digital economy, there was need for collective effort to enhance software quality, tackle cybercrime and drive innovation.

In his welcome address, Mr Boye Dare, President, NGSTQB and Convener of the event, said the theme resonated deeply with the rapid evolution being witnessed in the world of software development and quality assurance.

Similarly, he said that in this era of digital transformation, Nigeria had embraced a bold vision exemplified by the national digital economy and e-governance bill.

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Dare said the bill aimed at providing a legal framework for the development and regulation of digital economy and e-governance in Nigeria.

He noted that the forward-thinking framework would drive economic growth, improve public service delivery and position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.

‘At NGSTQB , we are acutely aware of the pivotal role that software testing plays in the success of digital initiatives.

‘Our mission is to ensure that the software driving Nigeria’s digital economy is reliable, secure and meets global standards. It is for this reason that we are working tirelessly to establish the Nigerian Testing Centre of Excellence.

‘The testing centre will be a national hub that will elevate the quality of software produced in Nigeria and enhance our capacity for testing in domains such as security, automation, performance and functionality,’ he said.

Dare said the Nigerian Software Testing Framework, which would be introduced by the National Information Tech
nology Development Agency (NITDA) was another key milestone in their quest to elevate software quality across the nation.

‘This framework will abide by global standards, offering clear guidelines for developers and testers alike,’ Dare said.

He stressed the importance of rigorous testing, citing the recent CrowdStrike incident, which affected five million people and cost five billion dollars.

According to him, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can arise from a single bug in a critical software update.

‘Together, we can build a digital Nigeria that is innovative, resilient and ready to lead on the global stage. Thereby, we can tap into the global software testing industry which is led by India, that is projected to reach 89.3 billion dollars by 2032. We can do it.

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‘India hasn’t got two heads. I don’t see why Nigeria cannot compete with India and bring software testing projects to Nigeria, so that
we can bring the most software foreign exchange into the country,’ Dare said.

Also, Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), emphasised the importance of quality software infrastructure for inclusive digital access.

Abdullahi, who was represented by Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, NITDA, said: ‘Software is a critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s digital growth.

‘Our partnership with UNDPS has yielded a framework to guide software development and testing in Nigeria.

‘The framework aims to promote digital trust, enhance cybersecurity and create opportunities for software testers,’ he said.

Abdullahi said NITDA’s strategic action plan focused on five pillars, which included enhancing cybersecurity and promoting digital inclusive trust, promoting access to digital infrastructure and services among others.

He said the software quality framework aligned with these pillars, ensuring Nigeria’s digital growth
was built on robust foundations.

Abdullahi said the initiative was a significant step toward Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) is a member board of International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), the world’s leading organisation for Certification of Professionals in Software Testing.

NGSTQB was officially registered as a Board with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria on August 21, 2021, after formal approval from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The mission of NGSTQB is to promote professionalism in Software Testing in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria