Nigeria has launched a National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework aimed at reducing IT failures, strengthening cybersecurity and improving trust in digital governance.
The framework introduces mandatory standards for software used across government and regulated sectors.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) unveiled the framework, setting standards for how software is designed, tested and deployed across federal institutions and the wider digital ecosystem.
The SQA Framework combines three regulatory instruments: the National Software Development Guidelines, National Software Testing Guidelines and Software Testing Organisations Licensing Guidelines.
Hadiza Umar, director of corporate communications and media relations at NITDA, said government software projects must undergo independent third-party testing and certification before deployment.
This makes compliance a requirement for IT project approval.
The framework introduces a tiered classification model.
Software will be categorised into Class A (high-risk systems), Class B (moderate-risk enterprise platforms) and Class C (low-risk internal tools).
Class A systems, including core banking platforms, identity management systems and power grid controls, will be subject to stricter security standards, penetration testing and oversight by accredited testing bodies.
The framework is expected to reduce system failures and improve security across public digital services.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general and CEO of NITDA, said: “With this framework, every software solution serving Nigerians will meet national standards for security, reliability and interoperability.”
Share
