The Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB) says it will prioritize stronger, globally aligned software testing standards in 2026 to improve the reliability, security and trustworthiness of Nigeria’s digital systems.
The President of NGSTQB, Mr Boye Dare, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Monday in Lagos.
NGSTQB is a member board of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®), the world’s leading organization for the certification of software testing professionals.
Dare said the board’s focus for 2026 was to embed software quality as a standard expectation across both public and private sector digital services, as Nigeria’s digital transformation continues to expand.
According to him, software testing must be recognized as a critical enabler of reliable and secure systems, rather than being treated as an optional activity added at the final stage of development.
“Our priority for 2026 is to ensure that software quality becomes a national standard, not an afterthought.
“Reliable digital services depend on professional testing practices applied from the early stages of development, and organizations must see testing as both a business and security necessity,” he said.
Dare noted that the renewed emphasis on stronger testing standards was driven by persistent weaknesses in software testing practices, which often expose systems to failures, security vulnerabilities and loss of public confidence.
He said software testing was still frequently treated as a final-stage activity in many organizations, while skills gaps persist in specialized areas such as automation, performance and security testing.
According to him, awareness of the business value of structured testing remains uneven at executive and decision-making levels, limiting investment in quality assurance frameworks.
Dare said NGSTQB has played a critical role in addressing these challenges by promoting professional, standardized and internationally recognized testing practices nationwide.
He said these industry challenges informed the board’s priorities for 2026, with workforce development and stronger partnerships forming the core of its strategy.
Dare added that the board plans to deepen collaboration with government, academia and industry to drive wider adoption of best practices across the country.
Reviewing NGSTQB’s performance in 2025, Dare said the board consolidated its position as Nigeria’s reference body for professional software testing.
He said the board expanded nationwide awareness of globally recognized ISTQB certifications, helping professionals and organizations better understand the importance of structured testing competence.
According to him, NGSTQB also strengthened community engagement through training programmes and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on practical, job-ready testing skills.
Dare said the TestNigeria Conference remained a major milestone in 2025, serving as the country’s flagship forum for discussions on software quality and standards.
He said the fourth edition of the conference brought together practitioners, industry leaders, academia and regulators to advance national conversations on software testing.
“The year 2025 was about consolidation, as we focused on strengthening standards, growing skills and reinforcing software quality as a national issue,” Dare said.
Building on these achievements, he said NGSTQB would in 2026 expand capacity-building programmes in high-demand areas such as automation, security, performance and AI-assisted testing.
Dare added that the board also plans to deepen partnerships with employers, universities and regulators, roll out the NGSTQB Software Testing Magazine, and support the nationwide adoption of the National Software Testing Guideline.
He said NGSTQB is engaging stakeholders to establish Nigeria’s first National Quality Assurance Hub to support structured testing services, skills development and industry collaboration.
“With the right standards and skills, Nigeria can position itself as a credible destination for global software testing services,” Dare said.
