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NGSTQB Invites Stakeholders to Software Testing Workshop

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Nigerian Software Testing Qualifications Board (NGSTQB), a member board of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), has announced the date and theme for its first Webinar.

NGSTQB invites stakeholders in the Nigerian software ecosystem to a one-day Webinar under the theme: ‘The Role of Software Testing in Nigeria’s Digital Economy.

NGSTQB is a leading organization for the Certification of Professionals in Software Testing in the West African country.

It is also the local chapter for The TMMi Foundation, the architect and owner of the Test Maturity Model integration (TMMi) – a detailed and structured model for test process improvement and the world standard.

Stakeholders will leverage the NGSTQB’s one-day Webinar to discuss issues around Software testing in the country.

Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy will deliver the keynote address at the workshop.

Mr. Oliver Denoo, President International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), will present the lead paper.

According to the Global Market Insights report, the software testing market size exceeded USD$40 billion in 2020 and is estimated to grow at over 7% CAGR from 2021 to 2027.

Speaking ahead of the Webinar scheduled for 21st June 2022 at 9 am (WAT), Mr. Boye Dare, President of NGSTQB, said that the central objective of the workshop is to discuss the role of Software Testing in achieving Nigeria’s Digital Economy Strategy.

“The importance of software testing and quality assurance is highly valued in a software development cycle. Both processes refine the whole process and ensure the superior quality of the product. In addition, it reduces maintenance costs and provides better usability and enhanced functionality.

“When software testing signs and push the individual components, quality assurance attests to the product- Fit for the purpose.

“With Nigeria moving towards a more digitally embedded society, the influence of software is far more considerable these days. Software enhances the business prospects and evolves an intelligent world.

“In addition to the industrial /commercial impact, software plays a critical role in all facets of life today. However, all it requires is the smooth and fail-proof functioning of the software.

“Otherwise, the disastrous effects of software failures can have a crippling impact on the business and livelihood. During the workshop, we will explore the benefits of software testing and quality assurance for any business.

“The irrecoverable damages that software failure can cause are evident from the startling reports worldwide. For example, in 2017, a statement released by Tricentis revealed that global enterprises have lost 1.7 trillion in assets and affected 3.7 million people across the globe. According to a report by Synopsys, Inc. in conjunction with Consortium for Information & Software Quality (CISQ), the cost of poor software quality in the US in 2020 was approximately $2.08 trillion.

In addition, the gory tales of enterprises affected by software glitches appear in the news almost daily worldwide. The IT snags that created substantial financial losses in different business sectors and organizations such as British Airways, Facebook, O2 network are good examples of after-effects of software failure”.

How to participate:

The workshop is free, but you are required to pre-register using the link here or visit: https://www.ngstqb.ng/workshop/


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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USSD Dispute: FG May Blacklist 18 Banks Allegedly Owing Telcos N250Bn

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Indications have emerged that federal government may this week list names of 18 banks owing almost N250 billion naira to Nigerian telecom operators on Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), and have remained adamant towards settling it for several years.

USSD Dispute: FG May Blacklist 18 Banks Allegedly Owing Telcos N250Bn

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reportedly been given the nod to publish the names and approve that telcos withdraw services to them if after two weeks they fail to settle the debts, according to Vangaurd.

Recall that the issue of banks’ multi billionnaira USSD debt to telcos has lingered since 2020, rising from below N40 billion to N57 billion by the end of 2021 and N80 billion in 2022.

But now, the telcos claim the debt has risen above N250 billion and accused the banks of not complying with the repayment plan.

The recent development, cannot be unconnected with a December joint meeting between the two regulators, NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which resolved that the banks pay part of the money by December 31, last year and defray the remaining gradually.

However, Vanguard gathered authoritatively that only four banks complied with the directive, while 18 others are still adamant.

Similarly, when the matter brewed heavily a few years ago, the National Assembly, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigerian Communications Commission, waded in and also generated such a gentleman’s agreement, which gave the banks leverage to defray the debts gradually.

However, that did not also happen as the banks allegedly reneged.

A few weeks ago Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), accused the banks of deliberately frustrating any move to resolve the issue and threatened that the only option, since the banks have consistently failed to honour the agreements, would be to withdraw the support that gives the USSD platform life.

 


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Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Kill 3 Telcoms Workers in Kebbi

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Terrorists belonging to Lakurawa group have reportedly killed three staff of a leading telecommunication firm.

Suspected Lakurawa Terrorists Kill 3 Telcoms Workers in Kebbi

The insurgents were said to have invaded a construction site at Gumki village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The bandits reportedly attacked a construction site at Gumki village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State when their victims were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service and killed them and one other person who is yet to be identified.

There was a conflicting report of which organization the victims belonged as the police said three of the deceased were Airtel staff and the residents identified them to be Immigration staff.

A staff of Sir Yahaya Specialist Hospital however corroborated the villagers, saying the three victims brought to the hospital were Immigration staff.

But SP Nafiu Abubakar, police spokesperson, said four persons lost their lives, one indigene and three staff of Airtel.

He said from the report the police got, Bello M Sani, state Commissioner of Police, alongside with CIS Muhammad Bashir, Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, Lawali mobilized their men to the scene to evacuate the corpses to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi.

He said his CP has deployed additional tactical teams to the area and charged them to decisively deal with the suspected bandits operating in the area.

He said the CP also had meeting with people in the area and appealed to them to always assist the police and other security agencies with relevant information for their prompt response.


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Nigeria Has World’s Most Affordable Data Costs – GSMA

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Nigeria has an average data cost of $0.38 per gigabyte, making her the most affordable countries globally and one of the cheapest in Africa for mobile data services.

Nigeria Has World’s Most Affordable Data Costs - GSMA

United States averages $6 per gigabyte and South Africa with $1.77 per gigabyte rank the highest globally and in Africa respectively.

According to the GSMA, Nigerian data costs, as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, are among the lowest across Africa.

The reports by the body lends weight to telecom operators advocacy for tariff adjustments to address economic pressures threatening the sector’s sustainability.

The GSMA report, titled “The Role of Mobile Technology in Driving the Digital Economy in Nigeria,” highlighted Nigeria’s competitive data pricing, which is significantly lower than other African nations, such as Kenya ($0.59 per gigabyte), Ethiopia ($0.68 per gigabyte), and South Africa ($1.77 per gigabyte).

By contrast, the United States averages $6 per gigabyte, underscoring Nigeria’s advantage in offering cost-effective connectivity.

The cost of mobile data in Africa varies greatly by country and region.

Data costs can refer to the cost of mobile data or the cost of acquiring, maintaining, and using business data.

In 2023, the average cost of 1 GB of mobile data in Sub-Saharan Africa was $3.31, while in Northern Africa it was $0.86.

Telecommunications operators in Nigeria have been requesting some policy changes as well as tariff rebalancing to enable them deliver support to the Government’s digital economy objectives.

They have called for the simplification and improvement of the Right of Way (RoW) charging and administration process, harmonised across the country

According to them, all government authorities (at national and sub-national levels) should apply the national maximum RoW fee of N145 per/LSQM adopted by the National Economic Council (NEC) for the deployment of fibre across all states in Nigeria.

There should be a single point of contact in each state for the RoW application process while the duration for the approval process should be digitalised and limited to a maximum of one month.

Simplification and reduction of the tax burden on the mobile sector

On tariff, recall that the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) had urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to consider reviewing tariffs upward to address rising operational costs.

Nodding in agreement, Bismarck Rewane, chief executive officer, Financial Derivatives,  said the proposed tariff hike by telecommunications will help reduce inflation in the country.

He said it would help to reduce inflation because it increases productivity, stressing that the price of MTN shares went up by 10% to 220.

Rewane reiterated that investors had already factored that in, adding that they are expecting a lot of good goodies.

“But more important to think about is the fact that because of an increase in tariff and an increase in investment to make the industry sustainable, they’re going to see an increase in productivity, not directly but indirectly.

“Any increase in productivity and output is likely to allow inflation to moderate, which is the goal. So, we heard from the policymaker, Bosun Tijani, who was very clear that we want a sustainable sector. But we also heard from the regulator saying that we will hold these guys to quality of service.

“We also heard from the operators, MTN that they are all revving up. So in all, there are economic benefits because of increased output and productivity. Two, policymakers are aligned because they want this to lead to a moderation in inflation,” he added.

He further said that it was not a bad deal and re-echoed the minister’s comment that the tariff hike will not be 100 per cent.

“Will they get 100%? No, they will definitely not. We suspect that we are going to likely see something between 40 and 50% which is fair after so many years of static changes,” Rewane added.

 

 

 


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