The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the National Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Framework, a new regulatory initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring the delivery of reliable software across government and regulated sectors.
The framework, signed by NITDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, under the provisions of the NITDA Act 2007, establishes national standards for software design, testing and deployment across Federal Government institutions, regulated industries and the wider digital ecosystem.
According to the agency, the framework seeks to eliminate costly IT failures, improve software quality, safeguard critical national infrastructure and build public confidence in digital government services.
The SQA Framework integrated three key regulatory instruments: the National Software Development Guideline, which mandates structured software development lifecycles, secure coding practices based on OWASP standards, comprehensive system documentation and compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards for citizen-facing services; the National Software Testing Guideline, which prescribes rigorous testing for functionality, cybersecurity, system performance and interoperability before deployment; and the Software Testing Organisations Licensing (STOL) Guideline, which established the accreditation and regulation of independent Licensed Software Testing Organisations (LSTOs) responsible for certifying software before deployment.
Under the new policy, all government software projects will be required to undergo independent third-party testing and obtain official certification before they can be deployed. Compliance with the framework will also become a mandatory requirement for obtaining IT Project Clearance.
To ensure proportionate regulation, the framework introduces a three-tier software classification system based on operational risk. Class A will cover high-risk and critical infrastructure systems such as core banking platforms, identity management systems and power grid control software, while Class B will apply to moderate-risk enterprise applications and Class C to low-risk internal tools.
NITDA said Class A systems will be subjected to more stringent cybersecurity requirements, comprehensive penetration testing and specialised audits by accredited testing organisations.
The agency noted that the framework is expected to improve the reliability of digital public services, protect government investments from software failures and cyber threats, and create a regulated software testing industry that will generate employment opportunities for Nigerian technology professionals.
It added that the initiative would also enhance international confidence in Nigerian-developed software, enabling local developers to compete more effectively in global markets and attract foreign investment.
Speaking on the initiative, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said quality remains the foundation of digital trust.
“With this Framework, every software solution serving Nigerians—whether built for government or the private sector—will meet clear national standards for security, reliability and interoperability. This is how we modernise government technology and position Nigerian software to compete on the global stage,” he said.
NITDA disclosed that the Software Quality Assurance Framework will take full effect in the second quarter of 2027. Before then, the agency will embark on nationwide stakeholder engagements, capacity-building programmes and the accreditation of software testing organisations.
The agency also announced that it will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EOI) for technology firms seeking licences as independent software testing organisations, providing industry stakeholders with adequate time to prepare for compliance with the new national framework.
