The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), managers of the .ng domain name of the country, has said that the online real estate has continued to record strong uptake among the internet community.
Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA, who announced this at the 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the domain name managers held recently in Lagos, highlighted the organisation’s achievements in 2023.
He emphasised, “a winning formula” which he gave at his inaugural speech last year, focusing on “people, processes, performance, and accountability.”
Akinsanya reported to the AGM that the domain name mangers recorded significant increase in domain registrations as “NiRA concluded 2023 with remarkable achievements, boasting 94,723 newly registered domains, 61,227 renewed domain names, and a total of 155,950 domain names.” This growth reflects the increasing adoption of the .ng domain within the Nigerian digital landscape.
NiRA: The .ng recording rising adoption across Nigeria’s digital landscape
Akinsanya reported to the AGM that the domain name mangers recorded significant increase in domain registrations as “NiRA concluded 2023 with remarkable achievements, boasting 94,723 newly registered domains, 61,227 renewed domain names, and a total of 155,950 domain names.” This growth reflects the increasing adoption of the .ng domain within the Nigerian digital landscape.
Financial stability was another positive note. NiRA’s income rose to NGN348,057,704 in 2023, a 1% increase compared to 2022. The organisation also recorded a surplus of NGN33,614,926,
Strengthening relationships with domain name registrars was a key focus area. As Akinsanya emphasised, “In my inaugural address as President, I underscored the critical need to strengthen the relationship between registrars and the registry.” To address this, NiRA introduced a dedicated “Registrar Relationship Manager” role to improve communication and support.
Boosting brand awareness of the .ng domain was another strategic initiative. NiRA launched an aggressive marketing campaign, including prominent LED billboard placements and collaborations with registrars as a way of boosting brand awareness of the .ng domain. “Collaborating with NiRA Accredited Registrars, we worked tirelessly to increase the annual registration and renewal of .ng domain names,” the body’s President added.
Another way NiRA raised brand awareness was by collaborating with organisations in Nigeria such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), among others. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2023. “Through this initiative, the Academy delivered comprehensive training sessions covering essential topics such as the Domain Name System (DNS) and cybersecurity. These sessions included lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises aimed at equipping law enforcement officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat cybercrime effectively,” Akinsanya said.
Celebrating achievements was also part of the AGM. The 16th annual .ng Awards recognised 35 outstanding individuals and organisations for their contributions to the .ng domain. NiRA also applauded the government’s recent adoption of a policy encouraging federal agencies to use the second-level domain policy for Federal Government Agencies and MDAs. “This step forward represents a significant advancement in our continuous efforts to strengthen the digital landscape,” said Akinsanya.
“The achievements of NiRA in 2023,” according to the President, “are a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem in Nigeria. As we look ahead, let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and drive positive change in the Nigerian internet space.”
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