The Federal Government through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has said that quality software development will be essential in expanding Nigeria’s digital economy.
Pantami made the remark at the first Software Testing Conference in Nigeria themed, ‘Impact of Software Quality Assurance in the Nigerian Digital Economy’, organised by Nigeria Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB) in Lagos.
About a decade ago, the then Chairman of Nigeria Software Development Initiative (NSDI), Jim Ovia, estimated the size of Nigeria’s software industry to be over N15 billion, with an estimated import value of software products of $900 million.
At the forum, Pantami acknowledged the importance of software in global development cannot be over-emphasised, hence software powers the hardware, and most of the innovations in all sectors and spheres of life.
“If you look at the world’s advancement in the Internet economy, transportation, financial services, power, cyber security and many life endeavours; software is the secret to that success. I can categorically say that the world would not have achieved much if there was no invention of software.
The Minister, who spoke through Dr. Falilat Jimoh, said, however, one of the greatest challenges the software industry is facing today is issues of quality.
He referred to a report by Synopsis Inc in the U.S., which finds that many organisations allow software quality to lag behind other objectives, but that lack of attention comes at a steep price.
