Following a landmark year that marked two decades of managing Nigeria’s digital identity, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has officially transitioned into 2026 with a renewed focus on deepening trust and accelerating the adoption of the .ng domain.
In his first official message of the year, contained in the January 2026 newsletter, NiRA President Mr. Adesola Akinsanya reflected on the extraordinary achievements of 2025 while setting a clear strategic tone for the year ahead.
The President described 2025 as a milestone year that celebrated two decades of managing Nigeria’s country code Top-Level Domain. According to him, the past year was defined by an active global presence through representation at international forums like ICANN and the Africa Internet Summit.
He noted that NiRA also focused on strategic advocacy by promoting the .ng domain as an essential asset for Nigeria’s digital economy and national identity. Additionally, the association fostered community recognition by hosting events like the Tech Convergence and the NiRA Awards to honor local innovators.
“Progress in the internet ecosystem is never the work of one institution alone, but the outcome of shared vision and sustained cooperation,” Akinsanya noted, praising the collaboration between the Board of Trustees, accredited registrars, and the broader NiRA community.
As NiRA enters 2026, the focus is shifting from celebrating its history to leading the industry with a specific intention. The President outlined several core priorities that will define the association’s activities throughout the year. NiRA aims to accelerate .ng adoption by building on the “Switch to .ng” initiative to ensure more Nigerian businesses and individuals own their digital identity.
The association is also focused on enhancing digital sovereignty by pushing for local ownership and ensuring Nigeria shapes the global internet rather than just consuming it. Furthermore, NiRA plans to deepen trust by strengthening the security and reliability of the .ng registry to foster a resilient and globally respected internet space. Finally, the organization will continue supporting innovation by providing the foundational infrastructure that allows Nigerian tech startups and established organizations to thrive.
The President emphasized that 2026 presents fresh opportunities to build on the foundations laid over the last two decades. The goal remains to create a digital environment that reflects Nigerian identity and serves future generations.
“Now in 2026, we carry that momentum forward. Together, we will continue shaping a resilient, trusted, and globally respected Nigerian internet,” Akinsanya stated.