The .ng domain name, Nigeria’s Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD), has seen a significant rise in usage for websites and email addresses.
Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), announced this development during the association’s 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Lagos.
Addressing stakeholders both physically and virtually, Mr. Akinsanya highlighted that as of February 2024, NiRA registrars have registered 215,441 .ng domain names.
This marks an increase from the 212,890 domains reported in NiRA’s audited accounts for the year ending December 31, 2023, which itself was a significant rise from 183,792 domains recorded in December 2022.
Mr. Akinsanya praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its Renewed Hope agenda aimed at leveraging the digital economy to enhance the lives of citizens.
He also acknowledged the support of Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who has been a strong advocate for the .ng domain adoption.
NiRA, a multi-stakeholder-led organization, has enjoyed support from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the leadership of Kashifu Inuwa.
This collaboration has been crucial in promoting the switch to .ng domains across public and private sectors.
Mr. Akinsanya emphasized the importance of adopting the .ng domain, stating, “The need for both the government and private institutions to switch over to the .ng brand is no longer negotiable in view of the significant role it plays in the country’s digital economy agenda.” He also noted NiRA’s commitment to supporting the Minister’s efforts to promote transparency in governance and protect Nigeria’s cyberspace.
In addition to these efforts, NiRA accredited twenty-two new registrars last year, reflecting the collective drive to increase .ng domain adoption. “Our commitment to nurturing a robust partnership with our accredited registrars remains unwavering,” Mr. Akinsanya stated.
Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Chairperson of NiRA’s Board of Trustees, expressed her gratitude towards the stakeholders, noting their dedication and contributions to the organization’s success.
“Your unwavering support and commitment to our cause have been the driving force behind our accomplishments,” she said, encouraging continued collaboration and shared vision within the community.
