Nigerian Software Testers Call for Stricter Quality Standards to Boost Digital Trust
Software testers across Nigeria have called for stricter quality standards and enhanced software testing practices to ensure trust in the nation’s growing digital ecosystem. The appeal came during the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigerian Software Testers (ANST) in Lagos, themed “TESTING NIGERIA FORWARD: Building Trust. Powering Progress. Shaping the Future.” Experts stressed that high-quality software is crucial for reliable banking, government services, and business platforms.
ANST President Demola Adesina highlighted that quality is no longer optional—it forms the foundation of trust, safety, innovation, and national competitiveness. “If Nigeria is going to move forward, we must build what I call digital trust, the assurance that anything delivered through technology works as intended,” Adesina said. He noted that maintaining software quality after deployment is vital, emphasizing continuous monitoring and post-deployment processes.
The conference explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping software testing. Director Soji Ononuga of Testing Academy Nigeria encouraged testers to embrace AI as a tool to enhance testing efficiency, rather than a replacement for human expertise. Ononuga urged professionals to master AI-assisted testing, data engineering, model evaluation, and ethical governance to keep pace with global technological advances.
Executive Director Olayinka Oni of Sterling Financial Holdings shared insights on fostering high-quality software within organisations. He stressed that disciplined governance, a culture of quality, and strong system architecture are essential for reliability and resilience. “Leadership plays a critical role. Quality must not be bypassed. When trust is broken, rebuilding it is almost impossible,” Oni said, underlining the importance of customer-centric design and incremental delivery.
Panel discussions at the conference emphasized the ongoing need for robust industry standards, continuous professional development, and investment in upskilling software testers. Experts agreed that building a trustworthy digital ecosystem will position Nigeria as a leader in global technology and innovation. With hundreds of locally developed applications in use and many more on the horizon, software quality has emerged as a national priority.
source: Punch