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Nigeria’s software testing professionals have raised urgent alarms regarding the country’s increasing digital vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for enhanced standards, rigorous testing practices, and a unified national commitment to software quality. This pressing message was the highlight of the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Software Testers (ANST) held in Lagos, where key players from Nigeria’s technology sector convened under the theme “Testing Nigeria Forward: Building Trust. Powering Progress. Shaping the Future.” ANST President Demola Adesina addressed the audience, stressing that software quality must no longer be viewed merely as a technical concern but recognized as a critical national priority impacting sectors like banking, fintech, telecommunications, healthcare, education, logistics, energy, manufacturing, and public services.
Adesina underscored that the future competitiveness of Nigeria hinges on establishing digital trust. He emphasized that quality transcends being a simple operational function; it forms the foundation of safety, innovation, and national progress. "If Nigeria is going to move forward, we must build digital trust and ensure that technology performs as intended," Adesina stated. He further warned that quality assurance should not cease post-deployment, especially as an ever-growing number of applications, varying in complexity, are introduced weekly. Without disciplined testing, system failures may disrupt services, erode user confidence, and undermine faith in local solutions.
The conference also featured stark warnings about cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Oladipo Olasemo, Chief Technology Officer of Afripie Technology, described Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape as a “ticking time bomb.” He revealed that cybercrime cost Nigeria N53.4 billion in 2024 alone, with cumulative losses reaching N1.1 trillion between 2017 and 2023. The country experienced a staggering 1,047% increase in cyberattacks on institutions this year, placing Nigeria among the worst-hit globally. Olasemo attributed these alarming trends to chronic underinvestment in cybersecurity, weak regulatory enforcement, and a culture of complacency. He criticized organizations for prioritizing compliance paperwork over genuine system security, declaring, “Security is not a cost. Complacency is the real cost.”
The conversation then pivoted towards the future of software testing amid technological advancements. Soji Ononuga, Director of Testing Academy Nigeria, delivered a keynote exploring artificial intelligence’s growing role in quality assurance. He questioned whether AI would replace human testers or revolutionize the profession and stressed the importance of adapting to new technologies. “Testers have always been guardians of trust,” Ononuga said, “but the world is changing rapidly. Do not fear AI. Learn, adapt, innovate, and lead.” He urged organizations to invest in upskilling their workforce rather than downsizing, highlighting new competencies needed in AI-assisted testing, data engineering, model evaluation, and risk assurance. AI-driven testing, he explained, could accelerate innovation, reduce defects, and boost long-term profitability.
Another impactful keynote came from Olayinka Oni, Executive Director and COO of Sterling Financial Holdings, who underscored that quality must be built into systems from the outset. Drawing from Sterling’s digital transformation experience, Oni warned against prioritizing speed over discipline. “Speed without discipline becomes reckless,” he said, stressing the importance of questioning every change’s potential impacts and risks. According to Oni, leadership plays a vital role in ensuring systems are built with integrity, as rebuilding broken trust is nearly impossible.
Beyond discussions, the conference showcased Nigeria’s burgeoning homegrown innovations in software testing. Attendees were introduced to two AI-powered tools gaining market traction: Scandium Systems’ Rova AI, a machine-learning exploratory testing tool, and TimeToTest, an autonomous no-code AI agent that generates and executes end-to-end tests from a single website link. These tools were met with enthusiasm, reflecting the rapid maturation of Nigerian engineering talent.
In a commitment to nurturing future testing professionals, ANST awarded 50 free training scholarships through a live raffle, reinforcing its dedication to expanding Nigeria’s software testing capacity. The event concluded with the ANST Community Awards, honoring notable contributors to software quality and digital trust, including NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, MTN Nigeria, Lagos State Governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Students’ Union Affairs Kappo Samuel Olawale, and philanthropist Peter Omoh Dunia.
As the conference drew to a close, a clear consensus emerged: Nigeria’s digital future depends not only on innovation but fundamentally on the reliability and quality of the technology systems underpinning it. For the participants gathered in Lekki, Lagos, quality is no longer optional but the backbone of national progress.
