These appointments were made following the Board’s election held on 12 September 2025.

While this announcement comes later than anticipated, the Board wishes to reassure the community that it has been actively working to ensure continuity, stability, and effective governance during this period of transition and with the close collaboration of the Receiver, Mr Gowtamsingh Dabee.

According to a statement posted on its website, AFRINIC said:

“The Board takes this opportunity to sincerely thank AFRINIC members and stakeholders for their continued trust, patience, and support.

“We have well taken note of all the goodwill messages and expressions of collaboration. Your engagement remains vital as we work together to strengthen AFRINIC and serve the African Internet community.

“The Board looks forward to working under the leadership of Prof. Adedokun and Prof. Hilali in advancing AFRINIC’s mission and addressing the important challenges ahead, in close collaboration with our members and stakeholders”.

Professor Adewale Adedokun, who was elected to the AFRINIC Board on 12 September 2025 alongside seven other directors, brings a wealth of leadership, academic, and technical expertise to the role.

He is a distinguished Professor of Computer Engineering and the Director of the Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.

Professor Hilali brings complementary expertise to the role of Vice-Chairman. Commentators across the African Internet ecosystem have hailed the moment as a turning point for AFRINIC, one that could mark the beginning of a more transparent and community-driven chapter.

The new leadership will be supported by the cohort of seven other directors elected alongside them, forming a unified board dedicated to steering AFRINIC toward a sustainable and prosperous future.

The full board comprises: Emmanuel Adewale Adedokun, representing Western Africa and serving as Chairman; Abdelaziz Hilali, representing Northern Africa and vice chair; Kaleem Ahmed Usmani; Prof. Kayemba Laurent Ntumba for Central Africa; Carla Sanderson for Southern Africa; Fiona Asonga for Eastern Africa; Benjamin Mark Roberts as a non-regional representative; and Ajao Adewole David, also serving as a non-regional member.

Reacting to his appointment, the newly appointed chairman said: “After a period of challenge, the AFRINIC community has spoken clearly, electing a Board with a mandate for renewal and unity. My primary focus, alongside Professor Hilali, is to provide steady and reliable leadership that restores confidence and fosters cohesion. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, ensuring stability and trust that is much needed for AFRINIC to continue its critical mission without distraction and with the full support of its members.”

On his part, Professor Hilali recognised that a stable AFRINIC is the bedrock of a stable Internet for Africa and promised that the new board:  “Will work diligently to ensure the organisation operates with transparency and efficiency, focusing squarely on its core duty: the secure and equitable distribution of Internet number resources that power the digital economy across our region.”

The election is set to take place on June 23, 2025, in Mauritius.

AFRINIC, as the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa and the Indian Ocean region, plays a crucial role in the distribution and management of vital Internet number resources, such as IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers.

Adebayo’s bid for a board position underscores Nigeria’s growing influence and commitment to the continent’s digital future.

Williams Adebayo, a freelance tech and sales consultant, brings a formidable background in business development, sales strategy, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

His professional journey spans the ICT, fintech, FMCG, and telecommunications sectors, providing him with a holistic understanding of market dynamics and digital transformation.

Seeking support and votes from members across the African continent, Adebayo said his motivation to vie for the AFRINIC board seat stems from a passion for leveraging technology to empower businesses, enhance digital equity, and foster sustainable development across the region.

“My commitment to advancing Africa’s internet ecosystem through strategic partnerships and policy advocacy has spurred me to go serve at the continental level,” he stated, hoping that his fluency in English and Yoruba is expected to be a significant asset in bridging communication gaps across diverse multicultural environments”.

In his current capacity, Adebayo manages crucial client relations with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), ensures AFRINIC compliance, and facilitates seminars aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s Internet infrastructure. His strategic outreach has reportedly “significantly enhanced the Africa regional footprint.”

Before his current role, Adebayo held pivotal positions that shaped his diverse skill set. As Territory Sales Manager at Ringo Telecommunication (an MTN Partner), he consistently drove revenue growth in broadband and mobile financial services. His leadership as Business Development Manager at Global Plus Group and National Sales/Marketing Manager at Lantern Books Publishers showcased his acumen in team leadership, digital marketing optimization, and brand awareness.

Earlier roles at E-Tranzact International Plc (fintech) and Procter & Gamble (FMCG) further honed his expertise in sales execution and distributor management.

Academically, Adebayo holds a BSc in Business Administration and an MBA in Marketing, complemented by certifications in Marketing Analytics, Retail Management, and Customer Service.

His proficiency in CRM tools, Microsoft 365, and project management, combined with his analytical rigor and interpersonal finesse, positions him as a strong candidate to deliver impactful results on the AFRINIC board.

A member of the Institute of Corporate and Business Affairs Management, Adebayo’s dedication to innovation and his extensive experience across the digital landscape make him a compelling advocate for the digital and economic advancement of West Africa and the broader African continent.

His potential election to the AFRINIC board could significantly bolster efforts to ensure the equitable and sustainable growth of internet resources across the region.

NRS is a global non-profit membership organization that campaigns, empowers and supports businesses to own the fundamental elements of their IP business.

This advocacy was made at a seminar with the theme: ‘Advocating for a global unlimited, free, accountable and accessible Internet for all’, which it organized for its members and other ISPs in Nigeria at the Black Diamond Hotel in Victoria Island-Lagos.

The seminar, which was well-attended by its corporate and individual members was centered around topics such as Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Customer Experience & Retention and Internet Governance.

Speaking at Journalists on the sideline, Mr. Williams Adebayo, Relationship Manager at NRS, said the call for Nigerians to participate actively at AFRINIC becomes necessary since Nigeria as a country are key player in the industry and has the highest number of ISPs registered with AFRINIC don’t show enthusiasm towards Internet governance, which controls their Internet businesses.

“Nigerians have this nonchalant attitude of not participating. They do not vote. For them, it is not their business and concern. Meanwhile, it is AFRINIC that controls the IP of their business. So why don’t you have a voice in the body that controls you, even when the positions are opened for every member?” he asked rhetorically.

He disclosed that NRS is willing to support and encourage resource members to actively participate in AFRINIC elections and ensure that their votes count so that their voices can be heard and interests made known. He also explained that being part of the continental body will help to enlighten the people about the relevance of being part of Internet governance.

Asked if NRS intends to sponsor a Nigerian to contest for a position at AFRINIC election. Mr. Williams responded that contesting for a position is not the most important push for now, but the desire to be able to participate in the activities of AFRINIC and be able to vote and be heard.

“We are not particular about contesting for positions, not our main aim. We aim to ensure that people vote for their nominated candidates. So NRS, which is made up of resource members and Internet Service Providers, agrees with the member’s candidates and gives the necessary support. We believe in the people’s representations,” he stressed.

According to him, NRS is not against AFRINIC as many are thinking, insisting that NRS is never contending against AFRINIC but an organization that solicits free internet for all and encourages transparent governance. “We create awareness of trending industry information. We also advocate for the active participation of resource members in Internet governance. We serve as a voice, seeking the best interest of the resource members. AFRINIC is a registrar, as we are not seeking power but to monitor the activities of AFRINIC officials to curtail excesses and sensitize resource members. And ensure that resource members enjoy the best privileges and opportunities they are entitled to,” Williams added.

He invites all Nigerian ISPs to be a part of this movement, saying joining NRS will amplify their voices. “Our goal is to ensure that members get the best services from AFRINIC. Therefore, we plea that ISPs join us, and their voices can be heard and their interest met.”

The training program was for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), as a follow-up on an initial engagement brokered with the ISPs and HEIs towards establishing an Internet Exchange Point in Anambra State.

The Anambra State ICT Agency, a critical partner on the initiative, is driving the initiative with support from the IXPN.

In a presentation on the crucial steps involved in obtaining an IP Address and Autonomous System Number, ASN, Mr. Uchechukwu Ugwuanyi, a seasoned Network Engineer with IXPN, underscored that financial capacity alone is inadequate for the acquisition of IP resources.

He emphasized the importance of proving the existence of a functional infrastructure through verifiable documentation, a prerequisite for eligibility. Additionally, applicants must articulate a well-defined plan for the use of allocated IP addresses, ensuring adherence to relevant policies.

The application process, as elucidated by Ugwuanyi, is estimated to take up to 30 minutes under normal circumstances.

However, he stressed the importance of timely payment within 45 days to avoid nullification of the application either for End User membership (EU) or Local Internet Registry (LIR).

Beyond the technicalities, Mr. Ugwuanyi passionately appealed to the Anambra State government to consider collaboration with interested Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).

He called for the provision of grants to startups, recognizing the pivotal role such support would play in fostering innovation and reducing entry barriers in the Internet services sector.

Efforts by IXPN to explore the possibility of AFRINIC supporting small startups or ISPs were revealed, driven by the belief that reducing setup costs for these entities would contribute to more affordable internet, benefitting end-users.

Similarly, Ugwuanyi outlined the benefits of AFRINIC membership as follows: the seamless switch of upstream providers, independent management of internet routing registry, expansion of networks and services without protocols, and minimization of complexities.

Ugwuanyi also highlighted the leased nature of resources, cautioning that AFRINIC retains the right to revoke registration in case of default, emphasizing financial accountability.

Raphael Iloka, a Marketing Executive with IXPN, further emphasized the role of IXPN as a physical infrastructure connecting networks. He expounded on how this connectivity leads to a drop in the cost of transit and improved network performance.

Iloka also detailed the seamless process of becoming an IXPN member, emphasizing the potential for growth within the organization, including the opportunity to become a board member. “This explains why we pay membership fees quarterly because IXPN is a member-based organization”

“We trust that the guidelines you have received in this training will serve as a valuable resource that will aid you in becoming members of IXPN and solidify your position as an integral part of the global Internet fabric” he concluded.

The AFRINIC virtual training and insights shared by IXPN experts no doubt will significantly contribute to advancing the goals of internet connectivity and technological development in Anambra State.

The call for government support and exploration of avenues to assist startups also underscore a commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive digital landscape in the region.

They were elected on Friday April 28, 2023, during NiRA’s 15^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at “The Zone”, Gbagada, Lagos State.

Prior to his election, Mr. Akinsanya was a member of the Executive Board of NiRA under the leadership of Mr. Muhammed Rudman, the immediate past president (IPP).

Members also elected officials to fill vacant positions on the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the Executive Board of Directors (EBoD).

Elected to NiRA BoT are Mrs. Mary Uduma; Mr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u; Mrs. Ibukun Odusote; Mr. Remmy Nweke, and Mr. Biyi Oladipo.

While Mr. Ebenezer Dare; Mr. Seun Kehinde; and Mr. Peter Oluka were elected as members of the EBoD.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, expressed gratitude and immense appreciation to the members for electing him as president. 

“This is a call to greater service, and I promise to justify the confidence reposed in me” he affirmed.

Akinsanya, a Director at Upperlink Limited, had expressed in his manifesto, that he would employ winning formula: people, processes, performance, and accountability, to continue repositioning NiRA for greater success.

He focused on a few key areas such as improved Registry-Registrar relationship, stating his strong belief that “the relationship between the Registry and Registrar can be deepened thereby making it a win-win situation”, and promising improved incentives for Registrars which, according to the new president, would lead to mutual growth.

He also promised to expand NiRA’s outreach with more engagements with Local and international industry players: “As your president, I pledge to push for more of NiRA’s engagements within the local and international ecosystem and other industry partners. This is very important because it fosters the bond with such players thereby giving NiRA more exposure to the internet communities. Also, collaboration with government and regulatory bodies, would facilitate policy development thereby leading to increased adoption of .ng domains. Industry partners include ICANN, AFRINIC, IGF, AFTLD, etc.

The President also promised increased capacity building for NiRA members, non-members, and Registrars through NiRA’s Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV). “I will make sure we fully utilize NiRA’s SPVs (.NG Academy and Ndukwe Kalu Foundation) for the purpose of capacity building/ training for NiRA members and the Registrars by providing scheduled webinars on relevant industry topics.

With regards to Brand Awareness and Collaboration, he stated that he would

“push for more NiRA brand awareness by collaborating with the Registrars”. Other areas of focus include the signing of the .ng ccTLD zones, and strategic stakeholder management.

Akinsanya craved for the support of members to make NiRA a success story for the entire continent and beyond.

NiRA is a Not-for-Profit, Non-Governmental Self-Regulating body and managers of the .ng national resource, the country code Top Level Domain(ccTLD) name space in the public interest of Nigeria and global internet communities.

NiRA adopts the 3R (Registry/Registrar/Registrant) model of operation in the registration of domain names. 

The implication of this is that NIRA does not handle the registration of domain names directly.  Registration can only be carried out through NIRA accredited Registrars.

NiRA currently has over 100 Certified Registrars.  For more information, visit: www.nira.org.ng and to register a .ng domain, please visit www.register.ng.