Nigerian engineers are globally competitive, what we sometimes lack is exposure – Aiyenitaju

Oladapo Aiyenitaju, a Nigerian-born quality assurance automation engineer based in Europe, with a background in accounting and project finance, later transited into technology, where he specialised in system reliability, risk analysis, and enterprise scale digital solutions. In this interview with REMI FEYISIPO, he spoke on what Nigeria’s growing tech talent must focus on to remain globally competitive. He also advised young Nigerians, entrepreneurs to build global tech careers. He also spoke on his career journey, work on mission-critical systems among others. Excerpt:

How do you think government can assist engineers to solve problems of research?

From my experience, the biggest challenge engineers face in research is not a lack of intelligence or creativity but it is the absence of structured, long term support systems. Engineers naturally want to solve problems. We are wired to improve systems, optimise processes, and build solutions. But meaningful research requires stability. It requires time, funding, access to data, and institutional backing. One of the most powerful things government can do is create a research environment that encourages experimentation without fear of punishment. In many developing ecosystems, failure is treated as incompetence. In reality, failure is often a necessary step in innovation. Government backed research grants should be transparent, accessible, and tied to real world challenges. Not just theoretical outputs, but measurable impact.

Another important role government can play is acting as a bridge between academia and industry. In regulated sectors like banking and healthcare where I have worked, real innovation comes from real problems. When engineers are exposed to actual system constraints such as security requirements, scalability pressures, and data integrity challenges, research becomes more practical and impactful. Policy also plays a critical role, engineers operate better when regulations are clear, stable, and predictable. If policies change abruptly or remain ambiguous, innovation slows down because engineers spend more time navigating uncertainty than building solutions. Governments that create clear digital policies, cybersecurity frameworks, and data protection laws give engineers the confidence to build responsibly. To this end, engineers do not need inspiration, they need structure, access, and continuity.

How do you see the role of Nigerian professionals in the global technology ecosystem?

Nigerian professionals are increasingly visible in global tech, not just as developers but as architects, quality engineers, and leaders. The key is focusing on depth, strong fundamentals, and understanding business context, not just tools or trends.

Do you think Nigeria is developing enough tech talent to challenge the rest of the world?

Nigeria has exceptional raw talent. The resilience, creativity, and intellectual strength I have seen among Nigerian engineers are globally competitive. What we sometimes lack is not capability, but exposure.

Competing globally requires more than skill. It requires exposure to complex systems, international standards, and demanding environments. Working on high-risk systems like banking and healthcare platforms forces engineers to think differently about compliance, documentation, scalability, and security.

Many Nigerian engineers are extremely capable, but they may not always have access to projects that stretch them to global operational standards. Mentorship also matters. Exposure to experienced professionals who have navigated international systems accelerates growth significantly.

The good news is that this gap is narrowing. Remote work, digital collaboration, and global freelancing have opened doors. Nigerian engineers are already contributing to international products and services. The next step is institutional support, stronger tech ecosystems, consistent infrastructure, and policy frameworks that encourage global competitiveness. Igenuinely believe Nigerian talent can compete. The question is whether we can build systems that consistently nurture and elevate that talent.

Do you think Africa lags in tech growth?

Africa does not lag because of a lack of intelligence or innovation. The issues are systemic rather than personal. Infrastructure remains inconsistent in many regions. Power supply, internet reliability, and access to hardware all influence technological progress. Technology ecosystems thrive where foundational systems are stable. Another challenge is policy inconsistency. Investors and engineers need predictability. When policies change abruptly or lack clarity, innovation slows down because planning becomes difficult.

Continuity is also crucial. Many promising initiatives begin with energy and enthusiasm but fade due to insufficient long-term funding or strategic direction. Sustainable tech growth requires patient capital, mentorship networks, and regulatory support over time.

Risk culture is another factor. In some ecosystems failure is heavily penalized. Innovation requires experimentation. Some of the most advanced tech economies grew because they normalized failure as part of learning.

That said, Africa’s digital momentum is undeniable. Mobile technology adoption, fintech growth, and increasing international collaboration show that progress is happening. The focus now should be on transforming isolated success stories into strong, interconnected ecosystems.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs and young Nigerians aspiring to build global tech careers?

Entrepreneurship is often romanticized, but in reality, it is discipline and endurance more than inspiration. Coming from a background in accounting and project finance before transitioning into technology, I learned very early that sustainability matters more than excitement.

Many people have brilliant ideas. The difference lies in execution. Execution requires consistency, systems, and the willingness to solve necessary but sometimes unglamorous problems. It requires waking up daily and improving the product, the process, or the service even when no one is applauding.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, I would advise starting with clarity. What specific problem are you solving. Who experiences this problem. What happens if the problem remains unsolved. When you deeply understand the problem, your solution becomes more practical and resilient.

They must invest in strong foundations, embrace continuous learning, and aim to solve real-world problems. Global relevance comes from delivering consistent value and maintaining high professional standards, regardless of location.

I would also strongly emphasize building strong foundations early. In technology especially, scaling without structure can be dangerous. I have seen promising systems struggle because quality processes, documentation, or risk management were ignored. A product that works for ten users may collapse at one thousand if systems are not properly designed.

Finally, be adaptable. Careers evolve. Markets evolve. Technology evolves. The ability to learn continuously and pivot intelligently is more powerful than stubbornly clinging to a single idea. Long term success belongs to those who can adjust without losing direction.

What tech trends from other climes should Nigeria adopt to accelerate economic growth?

One major trend Nigeria can adopt is quality first engineering. In mature tech ecosystems, quality, security, and reliability are built into systems from the beginning. This reduces long term costs and increases trust. Especially in finance, healthcare, and government systems, quality is foundational.

Another important trend is long term investment in skills rather than short term tool adoption. Tools change rapidly. Strong fundamentals such as systems thinking, risk analysis, and documentation discipline remain valuable. Education programs should prioritize strong engineering principles, not just trending technologies.

Nigeria can also benefit from stronger public and private collaboration. When governments actively involve engineers in building digital public infrastructure such as tax systems, health platforms, and regulatory systems, innovation becomes embedded in governance.

Finally, embracing responsible AI development will be critical. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into global systems, countries that understand how to test, validate, and deploy AI responsibly will have competitive advantages. Technology should not only create startups. It should strengthen institutions, improve efficiency, and build economic resilience.

What exactly does a QA Automation Engineer do in such high-risk environments and future of quality assurance, automation?

In high-risk environments, a QA Automation Engineer goes beyond finding bugs. The role involves designing quality strategies, building automation frameworks, validating critical workflows, and collaborating closely with developers and stakeholders. The goal is to ensure systems are resilient, compliant, and reliable before they reach production.

But quality assurance is evolving into quality engineering—a proactive discipline focused on system assurance rather than defect detection. The future lies in integrating automation, risk analysis, and business understanding to build resilient systems that can scale safely.

Can you tell us about your professional journey and how you transitioned into quality assurance engineering?

My journey began with a strong interest in structure, systems, and problem-solving. I started my career in environments that required accuracy and process discipline, which naturally led me into quality assurance. Over time, I specialized in QA automation and strategy, working across industries such as finance, healthcare, gaming, and enterprise software, where reliability is not optional.

You have worked on banking applications and hospital systems in Europe. What makes these sectors particularly demanding from a software quality perspective?

Banking and healthcare systems operate under very strict requirements. In banking, even a minor defect can result in financial loss, regulatory issues, or loss of customer trust. In healthcare, system reliability can directly affect patient safety and continuity of care. These sectors require rigorous testing, strong automation frameworks, and a mindset that prioritizes prevention over correction.

You mentioned designing your own QA automation framework. Why is this necessary?

Many existing frameworks focus on speed rather than impact. I found that teams were automating tests without necessarily improving system reliability. I designed a framework that aligns testing with business risk, prioritizes critical workflows, and remains maintainable as systems evolve. This approach significantly improves long-term quality outcomes.

How does your cross-industry experience influence your approach to quality engineering?

Each industry presents different challenges. Banking emphasizes compliance and accuracy, healthcare prioritizes safety and data integrity, while gaming focuses on scalability and user experience. Working across these sectors taught me to design flexible quality strategies that adapt to different risk profiles while maintaining consistent standards.

Beyond hands-on engineering, you are also involved in training and mentoring. Why is this important to you?

Training and mentoring allow me to extend my impact beyond individual projects. By helping teams adopt better quality practices, I contribute to sustainable improvements rather than short-term fixes. It’s also about building a culture where quality is seen as a shared responsibility, not just a QA function.