.ng domain adoption Nigeria lags as NiRA warns reliance on foreign platforms threatens data control and economic value

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association has warned that slow uptake of the country’s .ng domain could weaken Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, as stakeholders call for urgent action to boost local adoption.

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The concern over .ng domain adoption Nigeria was raised at the association’s 18th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, where industry leaders, policymakers and technology experts gathered to assess the country’s digital infrastructure landscape.

Participants described the .ng domain as a strategic national asset, stressing that it underpins Nigeria’s digital identity, supports online businesses and contributes to economic growth.

Despite commending NiRA for maintaining a secure and resilient registry, speakers warned that continued reliance on foreign domains risks deepening dependence on external platforms, where control over data and economic value lies outside Nigeria.

They noted that such dependence fuels economic leakage, as payments for domain services, hosting and related digital activities are routed offshore instead of strengthening the local ecosystem.

The .ng domain adoption Nigeria gap, stakeholders argued, does not reflect the country’s size or digital ambition, particularly when compared with nations that have successfully built strong country-code domain systems.

A key proposal from the meeting was the integration of .ng domain registration into processes managed by the Corporate Affairs Commission, making it a default option for newly registered businesses.

Advocates said this approach would embed digital identity at the point of business incorporation and significantly accelerate adoption across sectors.

President of NiRA, Adesola Akinsanya, described the domain as central to Nigeria’s global digital relevance.

“.ng is more than a domain, it is Nigeria’s digital identity. Every organisation that adopts it strengthens our presence and credibility in the global digital space,” Akinsanya said.

Also speaking, the association’s Chief Operating Officer, Oluwaseyi Onasanya, emphasised that beyond infrastructure, perception and trust remain critical barriers to adoption.

She noted that digital competitiveness is increasingly driven by visibility, credibility and ownership of online assets, warning that countries that fail to prioritise local identity risk losing strategic control.

Former NiRA President, Muhammed Rudman, underscored the urgency, calling for stronger political will and coordinated execution.

“Time is of the essence. The frameworks are there, but execution must follow,” he said.

Stakeholders also highlighted the role of cybersecurity, noting that locally identifiable domains such as .ng offer stronger signals of authenticity in an era marked by rising cyber threats and misinformation.

They urged the Federal Government to introduce incentives and regulatory frameworks to promote adoption, while calling on public institutions to lead by example in line with the “Nigeria First” policy direction.

NiRA said it would deepen partnerships with both public and private sector players, expand awareness campaigns and continue investing in infrastructure resilience and security.

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As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, stakeholders warned that decisions around .ng domain adoption Nigeria will be decisive in determining whether the country builds a self-reliant digital economy or remains dependent on foreign systems.