NGSTQB Backs National Software Testing Guideline, Seeks Enforcement

The Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) has officially backed the National Software Testing Guideline proposed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The board is now advocating for the guideline's implementation, advocating for enforcement based on a risk-based, tiered approach rather than a standardized, uniform model.

According to the guideline, any software developed, altered, integrated, or deployed in Nigeria must undergo comprehensive testing, encompassing functional and non-functional aspects such as security, performance, usability, compatibility, reliability, maintainability, and portability, before being put into operation. This guideline is applicable to both public and private sectors, with the extent of testing dependent on the system's risk level, data sensitivity, public exposure, and the potential impact of a system failure.

As a professional organization dedicated to software testing standards and certification in Nigeria, NGSTQB believes that this guideline will bridge a critical gap in the country's digital economy, where software malfunctions have disrupted services pivotal to millions of Nigerians, from banking to public services. NGSTQB President, Mr. Boye Dare, emphasized the critical role of software infrastructure in Nigeria's economy, stating that any inadequacies could lead to failed transactions, compromised data, and substandard public services.

NGSTQB's endorsement of the NITDA's initiative is grounded in five key principles: wholeheartedly supporting the guideline's goals and execution; aligning with NITDA's mission to ensure software meets established standards of quality, security, and performance; endorsing independent, capable, and accountable testing of systems that could significantly impact citizens or essential infrastructure; advocating for proportionate, risk-based regulations, ensuring the degree of assurance matches the potential harm rather than applying uniformly to all software; and urging the industry to view compliance as a strategic investment in the market rather than a last-minute certification process.