The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has received a resounding vote of confidence from tech industry leaders and policymakers following its successful 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos recently.
The assembly, which drew a diverse group of members, industry giants, and civil society representatives, celebrated NiRA’s operational resilience while sparking a national conversation on the urgent need for policy frameworks to accelerate the adoption of the .ng country code top-level domain (ccTLD).
During the proceedings, members praised NiRA’s leadership for maintaining a stable and secure registry despite fluctuating global and local economic conditions. Stakeholders emphasized that the .ng domain is far more than a technical suffix; it is a critical sovereign asset that anchors Nigeria’s digital identity and enhances the credibility of businesses operating within the nation’s borders.
“Every organization that registers under .ng is not just building a website; they are investing in the sovereignty and credibility of Nigeria’s presence in the global digital economy,” stated Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA.
A primary takeaway from the AGM was the unified call for institutional alignment to make .ng the default digital address for Nigerian enterprises. Stakeholders urged a strategic partnership between NiRA and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to integrate domain registration directly into the business incorporation process.
Mr. Muhammed Rudman, Past President of NiRA, noted that while organic growth is positive, it is no longer enough. “The frameworks already exist; what is needed is coordinated political will and cross-agency collaboration to translate intent into action,” he remarked.
Key recommendations from the meeting included:
- Automating .ng domain prompts during CAC business registrations.
- Government-backed policies to provide benefits for businesses adopting the national domain.
- Ensuring all government agencies prioritize .ng addresses to signal confidence in local infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Onasanya, Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, highlighted the association’s commitment to technical excellence. “We have continued to build a resilient and secure registry that supports businesses, innovators, and institutions. Our priority is to deepen adoption and create greater value throughout the ecosystem,” she said.
The association’s multi-stakeholder model was also lauded by Mr. Biyi Oladipo, a member of the Board of Trustees, who described NiRA as a successful bridge between government and the private sector, positioning Nigeria prominently on the global digital map.
Looking forward, NiRA outlined an ambitious roadmap focused on continuous investment in cybersecurity and registry uptime, massive educational campaigns on the economic value of local hosting and positioning Nigeria as a blueprint for internet governance across Africa.
As Nigeria continues its rapid digital transformation, NiRA remains the steadfast custodian of the nation’s digital borders, committed to ensuring that the .ng registry serves as a launchpad for innovation, investment, and national development.