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.

Voting opened/ on October 31st, 2025, and will run for 20 days, closing at midnight on November 19th, 2025.

Over the past eight years, the .ng Awards have recognized more than 100 organizations and individuals who have leveraged the .ng domain to build and strengthen Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.

The Awards serve not only as a platform to celebrate excellence but also as a powerful vehicle for promoting the .ng brand and advancing Nigeria’s online identity.

Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, the president of NiRA, emphasized the importance of this year’s edition in his statement,

“The 8th edition of the .ng Awards is a celebration of progress and innovation within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Each nominee represents the growing trust, relevance, and adoption of the .ng domain across industries.”

The nomination process, which was open to the public for 15 days, across 19 categories including;

• Most Innovative Service Provider Online,
• Best Banking Website/Portal,
• Best Insurance Website/Portal,
• Best E-payment Website/Portal,
• .ng FinTech Company of the Year,
• Best E-commerce Website,
• Best Tertiary Institutions, Polytechnics, College of Education and School of Nursing Website/Portal,
• Best Primary/ Secondary School Website/ Portal,
• Startup Company of the Year,
• Local Hosting Company, 
• Technology Hub Website/Portal, 
• Agric-Tech Company of the Year,
• Digital Innovation in State Government,
• Digital Innovation in Federal Government,
• Best Print Media Website,
• Best Online Media Website,
• Electronic Media Website (Television),
• Electronic Media Website (Radio) and
• Company of the Year category.

To view the full list of shortlisted nominees and cast your vote, visit the .ng Awards website.

The 8th edition will be particularly special, as it coincides with NiRA’s 20th anniversary in 2025, marking a significant milestone of two decades of stewardship, innovation, and leadership in Nigeria’s internet landscape.

Mr. Peter Oluka,  the chairman of the .ng Awards Committee, reflected on the significance of this moment,

“We congratulate all 88 shortlisted nominees for their continuous contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s digital space through the .ng domain. This year’s Awards carry even greater meaning as we celebrate two decades of NiRA’s excellence and reflect on the evolution of the .ng domain as a key pillar of our national digital identity.”

The .ng Awards feature two distinct categories: the General Awards, which comprise 19 publicly nominated and voted categories, and the Presidential Awards, conferred directly by NiRA’s leadership to honour exceptional impact and contribution to Nigeria’s internet growth.

Mrs. Oluwaseyi Onasanya, NiRA’s chief operating officer, speaking on the core mission of the .ng Awards, noted,

“The .ng Awards reflect NiRA’s broader mission of showcasing the .ng domain as the foundation of Nigeria’s digital identity”

Following the voting phase, winners will be selected through the Awards criteria and evaluation process and announced at the .ng Awards Night, which will be held in December 2025.

For further information on the voting process and the full list of nominees, visit here.