NiRA pushes policy shift to make .ng default for businesses

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has called for urgent policy reforms to make Nigeria’s country domain, .ng, the default digital identity for businesses, as stakeholders warned that slow adoption could limit the country’s digital economy growth.

This was the key outcome of NiRA’s 18th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, where industry leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders gathered to review the performance of the .ng registry and chart a path forward for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.

Participants at the meeting commended NiRA for maintaining a stable and resilient domain infrastructure despite growing global and local pressures. They noted that the .ng registry has continued to provide a secure and reliable platform for businesses, institutions, and individuals operating online.

However, stakeholders stressed that Nigeria risks losing significant economic value if more businesses continue to operate on foreign domains instead of .ng, which they described as a sovereign national asset.

Speaking at the event, NiRA President, Adesola Akinsanya, said the domain name system goes beyond technology and plays a critical role in national identity and global competitiveness.

“.ng is more than a domain, it is Nigeria’s digital identity. Every organisation that registers under .ng is investing in the sovereignty and credibility of Nigeria’s presence in the global digital economy,” he said.

Also speaking, Oluwaseyi Onasanya, NiRA’s chief operating officer, highlighted the steady growth of the registry, noting that the association has built a secure and resilient system that supports Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

She said the organisation is focused on deepening adoption, expanding partnerships, and creating more value across the .ng ecosystem, adding that the current growth trajectory reflects increasing trust from stakeholders.

Despite these gains, discussions at the AGM centred on the need for stronger government-backed frameworks to accelerate adoption.

Stakeholders proposed integrating .ng domain registration into business registration processes handled by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a move they believe would automatically position .ng as the first choice for new companies.

They also called for regulatory incentives and public sector leadership, urging government institutions to lead by example by adopting .ng domains to boost confidence in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

Muhammed Rudman, former NiRA president, emphasised that the issue is no longer about awareness but execution.

“Adoption of .ng among new businesses must be driven through policy and institutional alignment. The frameworks already exist—what is needed is coordinated political will,” he said.

Similarly, Biyi Oladipo, board of trustees member, described NiRA as a strong model of multi-stakeholder collaboration that has helped position Nigeria more prominently in the global digital space.

The AGM reaffirmed that Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest internet markets, has a major opportunity to build a strong local internet ecosystem anchored on the .ng domain. Experts say wider adoption could boost digital commerce, strengthen data sovereignty, and improve trust in Nigerian online platforms.

Looking ahead, NiRA said it would intensify efforts to promote awareness, strengthen partnerships with government and private sector players, and invest in infrastructure and cybersecurity to sustain the growth of the registry.

The association also signalled plans to take a more active role in regional and continental internet governance discussions, positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.

As Nigeria pushes to expand its digital economy, stakeholders at the AGM agreed that making .ng the default online identity for businesses could play a decisive role in unlocking new opportunities for innovation, investment, and national development.