As Nigeria marks 20 years of managing its country-code top-level domain (.ng), the association responsible, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), has celebrated the milestone with a high-profile anniversary event and the 8th .ng Awards, honouring innovators, tech entrepreneurs, institutions, and content creators who have built on the .ng domain to push Nigeria’s digital economy forward.
Reflecting on Two Decades of Growth and Digital Identity
In his remarks, Adesola Akinsanya, NiRA president, noted that the anniversary and the 8th .ng Awards symbolise decades of “resilience, collaboration, transformation and nation-building through the .ng domain.”
He emphasised that visionary founders, entrepreneurs, NGOs, content creators, and institutions laid the foundation for what has become a critical asset in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
At the anniversary celebration, chaired by the organising committee led by Peter Oluka, NiRA’s stewardship of Nigeria’s digital identity was lauded as a cornerstone for national internet presence.
“What began as an ambitious dream two decades ago has grown into a vibrant ecosystem,” Oluka said, highlighting how .ng has empowered businesses, promoted local content, and anchored Nigeria’s presence on the global internet map.
Spotlight on Nigeria’s Digital Champions
The .ng Awards, now in its 8th edition, remains a major platform for recognising those who have leveraged the .ng domain to build robust digital presence and services. This year’s edition adds symbolic weight as it coincides with NiRA’s 20-year milestone.
Over the years, the .ng domain has grown substantially.
As at December 2025, the registry reported over 237,266 active .ng domains, underscoring increased adoption by businesses, institutions, and individuals across Nigeria’s digital landscape.
The strong growth reflects rising recognition of the importance of local domain names, a move that supports cybersecurity, local content development, and helps retain value within Nigeria’s digital economy.
Driving Digital Literacy, Inclusion and Local Content
As part of the anniversary activities, NiRA is not only celebrating the past, it’s doubling down on the future. The association announced a nationwide digital-literacy and awareness drive, including community walks in major cities and programmes targeting youth, NGOs, and educational institutions.
As stated by Oluwaseyi Onasanya, the chief operating officer of NiRA, the initiative aims to ensure “every community and every young Nigerian recognises that .ng is their gateway to opportunities: local, secure and globally recognized.”
Part of the outreach includes supporting 20 secondary schools with digital infrastructure and issuing school-branded .ng domains, an effort to promote e-learning, local web presence, and early digital literacy among Nigerian youth.
Reinforcing Digital Sovereignty and Local Internet Infrastructure
Beyond celebration and awards, NiRA’s 20th anniversary comes at a time when local content, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty are critical national conversation points.
The .ng domain once just a technical necessity now stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s assertion of its place in the global online economy.
Analysts say broad adoption of .ng domains contributes to strengthening national internet infrastructure, reducing dependency on foreign registries, and keeping digital economic value within Nigeria.
Looking ahead, NiRA says the next decade will focus on scaling .ng adoption across government agencies, startups, creative industries, education, and enterprises, framing .ng as Nigeria’s trusted digital home.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Digital Economy from Techeconomy’s Lens
For stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital economy, tech entrepreneurs, content creators, SMEs, and innovators, NiRA’s two-decade milestone and expanding .ng ecosystem offer several tangible opportunities:
- Digital Identity & Credibility: Operating under a .ng domain signals Nigerian identity and credibility to local and global audiences.
- Local Content Growth: More .ng adoption means more Nigerian content online — from e-commerce to blogs, fintech to edtech , boosting Nigeria’s digital footprint.
- Economic Value Retention: Local domain registration ensures that revenues and value generated online remain within Nigeria, supporting reinvestment in local tech infrastructure.
- Youth & SME Empowerment: With digital-literacy drives and school-based initiatives, young Nigerians and small businesses gain easier access to online tools, presence, and global visibility.
- Digital Sovereignty: Greater local control over domains and internet infrastructure strengthens national autonomy and cybersecurity resilience.
As NiRA ushers in its third decade, the 20-year milestone, and the 8th .ng Awards, is more than a celebration. It’s a renewed commitment to build a digital Nigeria defined by local identity, inclusive opportunity, and sustainable growth.
For a fast-evolving digital economy, that may be exactly the foundation the country needs.
