Senator Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi, Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, has underscored the importance of rigorous software testing to ensure the protection of national data. Speaking at TestNigeria 3.0, the premier software testing conference held in Lagos and organised by the Nigerian Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB), Afolabi stressed that testing locally developed software is crucial for cybersecurity.
Themed “Security in the Spotlight: Safeguarding Digital Frontiers through Quality Assurance,” the event focused on the importance of quality software in driving Nigeria’s digital economy and ensuring global competitiveness. Afolabi highlighted Nigeria’s potential, given its young, tech-savvy population, to become a leader in the global software industry.
The senator called for bridging the gap between local software development and international standards, emphasising that quality software would enhance national security and boost employment opportunities for the youth. He also lauded government efforts to develop a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and a digital literacy framework, which he said would further strengthen Nigeria’s position in the digital economy.
Hon. Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for robust security controls in Nigeria’s rapidly growing fintech sector to protect citizens from cyber threats.
In his welcome address, Boye Dare, President of NGSTQB, highlighted the organisation’s work in promoting software testing and quality assurance in Nigeria. He announced the upcoming Nigerian Testing Centre of Excellence and praised the Nigerian Software Testing Framework, a new initiative to raise national software standards globally.