Hey there! I’m Abiola Rasaq but You can call me Abby!
I’m a History and International Relations graduate who somehow ended up in tech (and absolutely made it work).
Back in school, I thought I’d spend my life in diplomacy, flying from country to country as an ambassador, doing all kinds of foreign policy gymnastics. I was obsessed with the idea of war and peace in international politics. My thesis? was on military strategies of wars through the lens of the Peloponnesian War. Very serious stuff.
Fast forward to real life, and somehow I started chasing bugs instead of treaties.
My journey into Quality Assurance started in 2018, and it’s been a wild, fulfilling ride ever since. I’ve tested software, led QA teams, mentored beginners, and built spaces where testers can thrive. In 2021, I launched a community for testers, partly out of frustration (testing didn’t get the love it deserved), and partly because there was no proper support system: no mentors, no study groups, nothing. That little spark has grown into a community of over 700 testers across 15 African countries.
That same year, we kicked off the Software Testing for Beginners (STFB) program under The Bug Detective (TBD). Since then, we’ve trained over 2,000 people, and our impact has reached over 50,000 curious minds across the continent. It’s one of the things I’m proudest of.
In 2023, I decided testers needed to be celebrated loud and proud. So I started Test Festival, now Africa’s biggest QA event. Same year, I launched The Bug Detective as a QA-as-a-Service (QAAS) company to help startups build products that don’t fall apart. Also, because I really don’t know how to sit still, I started the Women in Software Testing Initiative to spotlight and support brilliant women doing impactful work in QA.
Outside of testing, I write (a lot). I’ve published articles on software testing, AI, ethics, policy, and occasionally throw in a spicy take on tech culture. I care deeply about how we build intelligent systems, and how we make sure they’re safe, fair, and not total disasters waiting to happen.
When I’m not in tech mode, I paint. I sleep (very well, thank you). I reread Dan Brown like I don’t already know who the villain is. I think Pride and Prejudice is a cinematic masterpiece and I’ll argue it any day. I love peace, I love quiet, and I really don’t like noise — unless it’s laughter.
Lately, I’ve been thinking of using my blog here as a place to drop thoughts that run through my mind, the random ones I ponder while staring at the ceiling or taking a walk. Think of it as a softer, more philosophical, laugh-inducing side of me. All vibes, no pressure. My Medium will stay the serious, professional space for my QA and AI articles, while this blog? It’s just me being Abby.
And if you ever want a glimpse of my life completely outside tech. Slow days, big smile, good vibes and love for fast cars. I share those little bits on Instagram.
Thanks for stopping by.
—
Abby