For Nigeria, the .ng domain has become a cornerstone of this digital identity, representing more than just a web address—it is a symbol of national pride and a driver of economic growth.

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) plays a pivotal role in managing and promoting this national asset, and its recent achievement of over 229,596 .ng domain registrations as of August 2024 highlights its significant contributions to the nation’s digital journey.

As the custodian of the .ng domain, NiRA is at the forefront of fostering a trusted online environment that is critical for the nation’s digital transformation.

The .ng domain is more than a simple identifier; it is a key enabler of digital identity for individuals, businesses, and government entities. In a world where digital interactions are increasingly integral to economic activities, a secure, affordable, and accessible national domain is essential for Nigeria’s growth.

NiRA safeguards Nigeria’s digital sovereignty by providing secure .ng domains. This is crucial for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to establish credibility, deliver services efficiently, and interact safely in the global digital economy.

This supports a thriving digital ecosystem, fostering innovation, commerce, and secure citizen engagement.

Moreover, NiRA recognizes the increasing cybersecurity threats in Nigeria’s growing digital environment. To address this, it is actively working with various stakeholders (industry, government, media) to protect cyberspace.

This collaboration aims to maintain trust in the .ng domain and ensure a safe online experience for all users.

Now, while NiRA’s achievements are commendable, the journey toward a fully digital Nigeria is far from complete.

To meet its objectives, NiRA must continue to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. To my mind, there are five key areas where NiRA must focus its efforts to ensure continued success and relevance. 

Bridging the Digital Divide:

Despite the progress made, a significant digital divide persists in Nigeria, with many underserved communities lacking access to the internet and digital services.

NiRA’s .NG Academy initiative is a commendable step toward addressing this issue, but more needs to be done.

Expanding the Academy’s reach, enhancing digital literacy programs, and collaborating with other stakeholders to provide affordable internet access in rural areas are essential actions.

NiRA must ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can access the opportunities offered by the digital economy. 

Enhancing Cybersecurity

As cyber threats evolve, so must NiRA’s cybersecurity strategies. Protecting the integrity of the .ng domain is crucial for maintaining user trust and promoting digital adoption.

NiRA should invest in cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and establish robust partnerships with global cybersecurity experts to stay ahead of potential threats.

Additionally, raising awareness about best practices for cybersecurity among .ng domain holders and the general public will help create a more secure digital environment.

Promoting the .ng Brand

The .ng domain is not just a web address; it is a symbol of Nigerian identity in the digital world. NiRA should continue to promote the .ng domain as the preferred choice for Nigerian businesses, organisations, and individuals.

This can be achieved through targeted marketing campaigns, collaborations with influential digital entrepreneurs, and incentives for startups to adopt the .ng domain.

By positioning the .ng domain as synonymous with trust, reliability, and Nigerian excellence, NiRA can drive further adoption and increase the visibility of Nigerian businesses on the global stage.

 Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

In line with the evolving digital landscape, NiRA should promote a culture of innovation by supporting initiatives that encourage the development of new digital solutions. Collaborating with tech hubs, educational institutions, and the private sector can help create an ecosystem where innovative ideas can flourish.

By supporting the growth of the tech industry in Nigeria, NiRA will contribute to a vibrant digital economy that benefits all Nigerians.

Continuous Stakeholder Engagement

Achieving NiRA’s objectives requires the support and collaboration of stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations.

NiRA must maintain an open dialogue with these stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations.

Regular consultations, feedback mechanisms, and transparent communication will help build strong relationships and ensure that NiRA’s initiatives are aligned with the broader goals of Nigeria’s digital transformation.

NiRA’s role in Nigeria’s digital landscape is indispensable. As the steward of the .ng domain, it has a unique responsibility to ensure that Nigeria’s digital identity remains secure, accessible, and representative of the nation’s aspirations.

To sustain the progress made, NiRA must continue to innovate and adapt to the challenges ahead.

The association must recognize that its role is not only to safeguard the digital future of Nigeria but also to empower millions of Nigerians to participate fully in the global digital economy. This is the path forward.

 *Eromosele, a corporate communication professional, writes via: elviseroms@gmail.com

In this pursuit, .NG Academy has unveiled a training programme aimed at empowering security agencies with an in-depth comprehension of the Fundamentals of the Internet and Cybersecurity.

This initiative is designed to equip security professionals with the required knowledge and skills to effectively address the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape.

.NG Academy, well-known for its dedication to exceptional technology education, has taken an active role in advancing and fostering a sustainable digital economy in Africa.

With a focus on equipping the continent with essential digital technology skills, the Academy conducted a three-day training programme from July 25 – 27, 2023.

This joint initiative, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) through its .NG Academy is specifically tailored to meet the needs of security agencies in Nigeria given their crucial role in safeguarding the nation against cyber threats and attacks.

High-ranking officials from various security agencies, including EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, Code of Conduct Bureau, Department of State Security, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, participated in the three-day programme. Their presence reflected a strong desire to elevate their expertise in protecting Nigeria’s digital space.

Throughout the event, the experienced facilitators shared insights into combating cyber threats. Their presence not only enriched the training but also provided an opportunity for security agencies to establish valuable networks within the industry.

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the NiRA President, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, the lead facilitator, and immediate past president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), as well as the CEO of Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) expressed NiRA’s commitment to collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to train law enforcement professionals.

In the NiRA President, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya’s message to the group, he emphasized that NiRA’s primary objective to empower security agencies with the necessary knowledge and expertise to safeguard the nation’s critical assets from cyber threats effectively.

By equipping professionals with cutting-edge skills, the Academy in collaboration with EFCC is establishing a robust line of defence against cyber adversaries.

He also highlighted the importance of creating a cohesive security ecosystem as the Academy in collaboration with the EFCC training programme aims to bring together key stakeholders from both the private sector and the government to foster collaboration and to collectively address cybersecurity challenges and offer capacity-building initiatives for the benefit of all involved parties.

During the training, Dr. Rislan A. Kanya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, IT, Research and Innovation at Baze University examined the overall impact of cloud computing on human development in Nigeria. He also examined the significance of policy, strategy, collaboration, and operational measures in enhancing human development through cloud computing. Mr. Victor Idonor, CEO of Cysec Nigeria, highlighted information security principles and how they relate to cybercrime.

Dr Daniel Omofoman, Director, Programmes and Projects, African University of Science and Technology; Dr Agu Collins Agu, Director, Research and Development, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Mr Chuks Onuoha spoke about Radio Frequency Identification Technology, its adoption and implementation as well as its increasing importance in law enforcement operations.

As the participants departed with newfound knowledge and strengthened capabilities, .NG Academy remains dedicated to fostering a safer digital environment through comprehensive and specialized training programmes.

The Academy’s commitment to equipping security agencies with cutting-edge knowledge in the fundamentals of the internet and cybersecurity is expected to have a profound impact on national security.

Armed with the latest techniques and strategies, security professionals are now better prepared to safeguard critical infrastructures, protect sensitive data, and thwart potential cyberattacks.

As cyber threats continue to escalate in complexity and frequency, the NG Academy’s initiative to strengthen security agencies’ expertise in the Fundamentals of the Internet and Cybersecurity comes as a beacon of hope for safeguarding the nation’s digital assets.

By investing in the development of skilled cybersecurity professionals, Nigeria takes a significant step forward in establishing a secure and resilient cyber environment.