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The President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Adesola Akinsanya, has called for a nationwide push to encourage Nigerians and local businesses to adopt the .ng domain as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital identity.
He made the appeal during the .ng Media Advocacy and Capacity Building Initiative held at the association’s secretariat in Lagos, where he emphasised the critical role of the media in shaping public perception and influencing national priorities around digital infrastructure.
According to Akinsanya, the media must move beyond traditional reporting and actively drive awareness on why Nigeria needs to take control of its online presence.
“The media does not just report events; it sets the agenda. We need you to lead the campaign for the urgent adoption of .ng and help Nigerians understand why it matters,” he said.
Why .ng adoption matters
Akinsanya explained that Nigeria’s digital identity must be deliberately built and safeguarded, noting that domain names are a key part of how countries establish presence in the global digital economy.
He raised concerns that many Nigerian businesses still operate on foreign domains such as .com and .org, effectively placing critical digital assets under external control.
“Thousands of Nigerian organisations are operating on what can be described as rented digital land, where governance and security are subject to foreign regulations,” he said.
He added that the .ng domain, managed locally but aligned with global standards through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), offers Nigeria greater control over its digital ecosystem.
Economic and security implications
The NiRA president described domain names as digital real estate, stressing that they influence visibility, credibility, and value creation in today’s internet-driven economy.
He warned that continued reliance on foreign domains contributes to economic leakage and weakens trust, especially at a time when users are increasingly concerned about authenticity and data protection.
“In an era where users demand trust and transparency, locally identifiable domains provide stronger assurance and alignment with national systems,” he noted.
Akinsanya also highlighted ongoing improvements within the .ng ecosystem, including enhanced security features and better infrastructure, but stressed that adoption remains the biggest challenge.
Bridging the awareness gap
He explained that the advocacy initiative was designed to simplify complex topics such as internet governance, cybersecurity, and domain infrastructure for broader public understanding.
According to him, Nigeria’s ability to compete globally will depend not only on infrastructure development but also on how well the country drives adoption and shapes its digital narrative.
Akinsanya reaffirmed NiRA’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the media and other stakeholders to promote the .ng domain.
“The story of Nigeria’s internet is still being written. Whether it reflects dependence or sovereignty will depend on the choices we make today,” he said.
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