Organised by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the event took place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, and celebrated leaders who have leveraged the .ng domain to drive innovation, growth, and right standing across Nigeria’s digital sector.

Themed “The Innovators of 2024,” the 7th .ng Awards celebrated businesses, individuals, and organisations that are advancing Nigeria’s internet ecosystem through creativity, local content, and technological impact. 

Speaking on the awards, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, president of NiRA, said they are part of the Association’s focus on promoting the .ng domain as a symbol of national pride and an enabler of digital transformation.

He said that Techeconomy’s recognition as NiRA Presidential Award for Best Supportive Media Partner “reiterates its relentless efforts in amplifying the importance of the .ng domain and supporting Nigeria’s tech sector”. 

Speaking on the honour, Mr Peter Oluka, editor of Techeconomy, said: “This recognition affirms our steadfastness in driving Nigeria’s digital prospects through responsible and impactful journalism. We have always believed in the .ng domain as an important element of Nigeria’s digital identity, and this award inspires us to do even more.”

Organised annually by NiRA, the awards aim to spotlight the unlimited power of the .ng domain in areas such as e-commerce, fintech, education, media, and governance.

Winners were selected based on criteria including website relevance, functionality, user experience, and local content creation. Public votes accounted for 40% of the total score, with the remaining 60% determined by a distinguished judging panel.

Techeconomy’s Contributions to the .ng Domain Ecosystem

Techeconomy has consistently highlighted the strategic importance of the .ng domain in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. 

During the NiRA Tech Convergence 1.0 Fireside Chat, Mr Oluka emphasised the .ng domain’s dual role as a branding tool and a representation of Nigeria’s identity in the global digital space.

“The .ng domain gives businesses and individuals a unique identity that points out their connection to Nigeria. It’s not just a technical tool; it’s a symbol of national pride and global competitiveness,” said Mr Oluka.

He also pointed to the branding and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advantages of the .ng domain, stating that businesses using .ng are more visible within Nigeria while remaining accessible globally.

“For example, at Techeconomy, our traffic consistently comes not only from Nigeria but also from countries like the US, UK, South Africa, and Ghana. The .ng domain helps businesses attract both local and international attention,” he explained.

The Significance of the Award

The Best Supportive Media Partner award reaffirms Techeconomy’s indispensable role in promoting Nigeria’s internet space. 

Through its thought leadership, the platform has empowered startups, SMEs, and established companies to leverage the benefits of the .ng domain.

Techeconomy has helped amplify the relevance of the .ng domain and encouraged digital adoption across sectors. The company’s focus on supporting the space deserves this recognition.

He said that Techeconomy will continually drive conversations around the adoption of the .ng domain and stimulate a resilient digital economy in Nigeria. 

The platform encourages businesses and individuals to embrace the .ng domain, emphasising its affordability, local advantages, and global reach.

For those interested in registering their own .ng domain, visit register.ng for seamless onboarding into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The session was moderated by Abimbola Aderibigbe, the Registrar Relationship Manager at the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), with Mr Peter Oluka, Editor of Techeconomy, explaining the importance of the .ng domain in this period of digital growth.

The in-depth conversation touched on how the .ng domain, as Nigeria’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), can be a necessary tool for businesses and content creators, providing both local and global advantages.

The .ng Domain: A National Asset and Identity

Mr Oluka explained the indispensable role of the .ng domain as a national asset and a representation of Nigeria’s identity in the digital space. He stated, “.ng gives the user a unique identity. There’s something that points to the word that this platform or this user is actually from Nigeria, or is resident in Nigeria, or is coming from Nigeria.”

He further stressed that the .ng domain goes beyond being just a technical tool, but is also a symbol of national pride. “.ng is our unique national identity in the digital space,” he asserted, noting it as a core part of Nigeria’s online presence.

The Benefits of .ng Over Generic Domains

One of the key points Mr. Oluka highlighted was the branding advantage that comes with using a .ng domain. He explained how it sets businesses apart by strengthening their Nigerian identity. 

He reiterated that the .ng extension can strengthen a brand’s position in the market. “If I ask you about Nigerian banks, anyone who visits a bank’s website using the .ng domain, knows that this is a Nigerian bank,” Mr. Oluka said, stressing the connection between .ng and national recognition.

Again, he pointed out the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). In adopting a .ng domain, businesses improve their visibility within Nigeria. He mentioned Google’s use of google.com.ng as an example of how search engines prioritise location-based domains to deliver relevant results. 

“Why do you think that Google has google.com.ng? Because anything you’re searching for related to Nigeria is filtered to this domain,” Mr Oluka explained.

He also touched on the global benefits. While some might perceive the .ng domain as limiting businesses to Nigerian markets and restricting their global reach, Mr Oluka clarified that it is a stepping stone to global recognition, especially if the content is universally relevant. 

“For instance, for us in Techeconomy, our top five countries for traffic are Nigeria, the US, UK, South Africa, and Ghana. .ng does not limit you to Nigeria alone,” he shared.

The Potential for Startups and Tech Companies

The discussion moved towards the role of .ng domains for startups, particularly in the tech space. Mr Oluka noted that the .ng domain offers startups a distinct advantage in terms of visibility and recognition, particularly for Nigerian investors and stakeholders. 

He pointed to the example of AgriTech startups that could benefit from the visibility provided by a .ng domain, saying, “For startups in areas like health, e-commerce, or AgTech, having a .ng domain helps you get recognised. It’s a unique identity that shows you’re part of the Nigerian ecosystem and helps you attract local and global attention.”

He also mentioned the growing use of .ng domains by well-known platforms such as theguardian.ng and leadership.ng, ascertaining that even large, established brands are adopting the domain to maintain their Nigerian identity online.

Affordability of the .ng Domain

One of the session’s most practical takeaways was the affordability of the .ng domain compared to international generic domains. 

Mr Oluka explained that while registering domains with international providers can be expensive, the .ng domain is more cost-effective, particularly because it allows payments in Naira. 

He said, “If you look at .ng today, the price is quite competitive compared to what you see out there. You’re going to pay in Naira, and that makes it more affordable for Nigerian businesses.”

He also recommended working with local registrars to ensure the best experience and support when registering a .ng domain.

How to Register a .ng Domain

For those interested in adopting the .ng domain, Mr. Oluka provided guidance on how to get started. He advised businesses to visit register.ng, the official portal for registering .ng domains. “It’s your go-to platform for registering your .ng domain,” he urged.

He further explained that businesses should begin by choosing the right name for their domain, one that aligns with their brand and target audience. “Before we started Techeconomy, I had 25 domain names in mind. But then, the name ‘Techeconomy’ came to me, and it was a perfect fit for our vision,” Mr Oluka recounted, sharing his experience in selecting a domain name.

At the NiRA Tech Convergence 1.0, Mr Oluka’s message on adopting a .ng domain reiterated the patriotic choice and also provided businesses with a solid tool to enhance their visibility, branding, and global reach. 

He urged these businesses and content creators to take on the .ng domain, especially in the face of a fast changing digital space.

“If you are not on .ng, you are missing out,” he concluded, pointing to the notion that Nigeria’s identity in the digital world must be proudly showcased through the .ng domain.

Embracing .ng is both a smart business move and an enhancement of Nigeria’s digital presence.

This was the focus of discussion at the 4th edition of Nigeria Information Technology Reporter’s Association (NITRA) ICT Growth Conference themed “Impact of AI on National Development: Prospects, Policies and Challenges in Nigeria” held in Lagos.

At the conference, key ICT media voices from broadcast, print and online platforms including; Hilary Damissah, editor and Chief Operating Officer at DigiVation Network TV, Justus Adejumo, ICT Editor at Daily Independent Newspapers, Peter Oluka,  founder and Editor at Techeconomy lent their thoughts to the subject matter of AI along side other stakeholders in the sector including the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) and strategic partners as they leant their voices to the conversation.

Setting the tone for the conversation, Hilary Damissah, a one-time member of the Senate Committee Media Advisory Group on ICT and Cyber Security, brought his versatility to the discourse while moderating the panel session.

The DigiVation Editor stirred concerns about the natural anxiety people have, inclusive of Nigerians on the advent of any new disruptive technology like AI and sort to know the preparedness of the nation in terms of policy, security, and probable socio-economic effects of navigating the dangers of AI in a developing economy: the role of public and private stakeholders.

Hilary drawing from his vast public sector engagement, including as Production Team Lead to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Telecom Weekly TV/Radio programme and the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Impact respective television programmes on national stations raised crucial questions of the possibility of AI living up to it’s hype and it’s possibilities of eroding several human factors including the threat to jobs as part of the worry of Nigerians.

In response to that, Mr Oluwakayode Olatunji, the Chief Information Security Officer, Digital Encode, opined that while AI is evolving, Nigerians have to adopt its usage into daily activities and that AI will not take away human factor from the job market.

“It is not that primarily, AI will take your job. However, it’s just like a moving train. If you have your ticket with you and you don’t want to get on the train, it will leave you at that particular place, and you will become obsolete over time. AI is not there to actually take out the job. However, we also need to prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically to ensure that we plug into the opportunities that it offers. It’s a wave, and that wave is continual.” he pointed out.

Given the strategic role of the media in terms of creating awareness, educating the people and guiding against several misconceptions associated with some of the emerging technologies like AI, Hilary Damissah sort to know the preparedness of the media to live up to the expectations and how the media intend to ensure important information dissemination and requisite knowledge based policy implementation.

To this, Justus Adejumo, a veteran technology reporter and IT editor, Daily Independent Newspapers, noted the need for media to be knowledgeable about subject matters in order to always disseminate the right information.

“We should have better education, that means as the societal gatekeepers, media professionals have to be deliberate in acquiring new trainings, build capacities and acquaint themselves more with global trends,” Adejumo reiterated.

Giving more emphasis,  Justus Adejumo says;

“For me, one way to bridge the information gap occasioned by the advent of AI, especially as watchdogs of the society, is through better education.” In this context,  ” I’m not talking about the conventional or traditional education of going to college or university and all that. Now, the AI we are talking about is something created by humans and not by robots or people from the space. That means those who are going to operate it and deploy these services of technology must also understand what they are doing.” he stated further.

Pointing out concerns of most developing countries like Nigeria and the risk of always quickly adapting holistically global trends that may not be suitable within specific social contest, the Moderator Hilary Damissah and Coordinator, Nigeria’s first official participation at CABSAT (Dubai World Trade Centre) 2016 tasked the Co-founder Hyperspace and NeuRal AI, Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde of the level of readiness of Nigeria in the area of possessing the requisite skills and capacity to embrace artificial intelligence.

Responding, Dr. Oluseyi noted that, though Nigerians may not readily possess the skills at this point in time. However, it is a growing trend that doesn’t necessarily require a certification for its adoption, deployment, and use.

“AI is a general-purpose technology. It is a piece of technology that can be used across several industries, just like the internet. You need the skills, you need the knowledge, you need the understanding of the technology that you are going to be dealing with, so  the skills required will be built over time as we cannot afford to wait and be left behind,” he expressed.

“When a new piece of technology comes to be, it brings about newer jobs that we don’t even know. AI will take some jobs away; especially manuals, but it will also create newer jobs that even people within this sector can delve into. So, we need to upskill our knowledge, not just for computer scientists and IT people but also for people in law, medicine, mass communication, education, and health, among others he added.

While acknowledging that AI is data driven and internet centric, Moderator Hilary sorts the views of Peter Oluka of Techeconomy and representive of the President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mr Adesola Akinsanya, how organisations like NIRA intend to ensure the domestication of local content and consideration for our unique socio-cultural interest is factored in the narrative of the unfolding AI scenario in Nigeria.

To this posser, Peter emphasized the need for digitization in various sectors across the nation.

“AI is all about data. It is not garbage in or garbage out. The data you feed into the system is what it is going to use to give you feedback. The question is, how prepared are we with our data? If we do not have accurate data, deployment will cause us issues. So, having this data will serve our national interest for the national adoption of programs” he pointed out.

Highlighting the challenges that Nigeria’s energy sector is faced with such as inefficient distribution, energy theft, lack of energy access and affordability, Hilary possed the question of how Nigeria can harness the potentials of AI to solve the  energy problems confronting the nation.

Oluwatoni Olugbenga, a top-tier IT and energy expert in his response, stated that Nigerians have to come to terms with the fact that energy is not cheap before dealing with the challenges.“

The first thing is that energy is not cheap, but the cost of energy itself is not the issue. First, we need to get it right in terms of regulation. How can we leverage AI? In terms of technology as well, we need the right corporate governance, we need to have appropriate data, and when we have this, we can leverage AI to improve what we have in the energy space”, he said.

Speaking further, Olutoni said Nigeria’s unique context, especially in the size of population and challenges, makes AI adoption an imperative for sustainable development, economic growth, and global competitiveness.

It has been estimated that the market for artificial intelligence in Nigeria will grow by 28.10% between 2024 and 2030.

The induction ceremony, held as part of a week-long event culminating in an International Colloquium on June 20, 2024, took place in Garki, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the president, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), emphasized the need for qualified individuals to speak for organisations.

He noted that the induction aims to reinforce professionalism and end quackery in Public Relations.

Out of 605 inductees, 353 joined online while 198 attended in person. The new members were largely drawn from the media spectrum as a way of strengthening effective collaborative efforts between NIPR and members of the media in shaping public discourse.

The inductees were charged to join efforts in creating a new narrative for Nigeria and guarding our nation’s reputation.

The event was graced by the minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by the director-general of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Baba Ndace.

The Minister urged the inductees to collaborate with the Ministry to restore trust in public discourse, stressing the importance of positive and assertive communication about the country.

The induction ceremony marked a significant chapter for both Peter Oluka and Techeconomy, which stands apart for its commitment to truth and accuracy, in the quality of its reportage of technology, business, and economy-related events.

Oluka, a multi-award-winning communications expert, holds a degree in Mass Communication from the prestigious Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. He also obtained a PGD in Journalism from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

His professional development includes participation in various training programs, such as the MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme curated by the School of Media and Communications (SMC) Pan Atlantic University (PAU), ‘Multimedia, Mobile and Social Media Journalism Programme Facilitated by renowned new media experts Dan Mason Media hosted by Journalism Clinic, Lagos, Nigeria, among other training and achievements.

Oluka also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), and a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

“We congratulate our editor for adding another feather in his cap. His induction into the NIPR represents what we do as a media startup that offer our readers Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) by accurately telling you what is new in technology, business and Economy; reflecting on why it matters, how it works and the benefits.

“Our team works round-the-clock to explore and explain the changing world around us, tilting the lenses on the emerging market.

“Our audience is part of the Techeconomy’s family, and the strength of our relationship with you is the ultimate test of our success”, said Joan Aimuengheuwa, the acting editor of Techeconomy said.

Established in 1963, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) attained the status of a Chartered Institute in June 1990 through Decree No. 16 (now an Act of the National Assembly).

The Act confers on NIPR the power and responsibility to register members, set parameters of knowledge for qualifications to practise, regulate the practice and development of the PR Profession, as well as monitor professional conducts through an established Code of Ethics, amongst others.

Peter, a multi-award winner practicing ICT Journalist was elected at the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) cum election held in Lagos on Friday at The Zone, Lagos where Mr. Adesola Akinsanya and Mr. Murtala Abdullahi emerged the new President and the Vice President respectively.

They took over from Mr. Mohammed Rudman and Mr. Toba Obaniyi in that order. Other members elected into NIRA Executive Board of Directors (EBoD) at the meeting are; Mr. Ebenezer Dare of Hostlag Limited, and Seun Kehinde of QServers Networks Limited.

Meanwhile, five members have been elected to the Board of Trustees of NiRA. They are; Mrs Ibukun Odusote; Publisher of ITRealms, Mr. Remmy Nweke; former Financial Secretary of NiRA, Mr. Biyi Oladipo; former NIRA president, Mrs. Mary Uduma and Executive Director Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) Mr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u.

Peter Oluka has been a .ng Domain Name Brand Ambassador since 2015). He actually started his mainstream journalism in 2010 working with the Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper. His penchant for newsworthy events and stunts registered NewsDirect’s presence in the league of Property & Environment and Labour pious media outfits.

He also Co-founded GrassRoots.ng, a news platform rooted in Speaking for the Global Citizen.

Peter also Co-founded Njalo.ng; an online marketplace for ‘Easy sell & Easy Buy’ or new and used products. 

Prior to that, he worked at the Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, as a Senior Reporter; a medium with fad in ICT reportage. Peter’s articles have attracted interests from both international and indigenous ICT/Technology giants.

Peter’s quest for journalism, PR and media practices is exceptional. For many years, he contributed to ‘Communications’ pullout in the Guardian Newspapers.

Peter Oluka is among the pioneer Fellows of the MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-1) curated by the School of Media and Communications (SMC) Pan Atlantic University (PAU).

He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Information Management (IIM-Africa) and was awarded the Records and Information Management Best ICT Reporter of the Year by the Institute of Information Management-Africa (IIM-Africa) in year 2014.

He received Special Recognition Award at the 2017 Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA) for Excellence in IT reporting.

He also won Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT) Best IT Editor of the Year 2018.

Peter is a certified Customer Relations Management Personnel by the Nesburg School of Business and Management (NESBG-Nigeria), Africa’s foremost Persuasion School of Business based in South Africa (2015).

He obtained PGD (Mass Communications) from NOUN in 2015; HND (Mass Communication) from the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu in 2008.

‘Multimedia, Mobile and Social Media Journalism Programme Facilitated by renowned new media experts Dan Mason Media (2017)’ hosted by Journalism Clinic, Lagos, Nigeria, among other trainings and achievements.

Peter’s media practice cuts across Speech Writing, Public Relations, Advertising, other Communications interests.

Commenting on his election, Peter said: “I am deeply committed to the massive adoption of .ng buttressed by the fact that I have been a .NG (Dot NG) domain name Brand Ambassador since 2015!

“Yes, I have leveraged different platforms and fora to publicize the Nigerian Domain Name (DNS) Industry, amongst other accomplishments, training, awards and certifications.

“I strongly believe there is a need for the injection of fresh ideas to further expand our identity in cyberspace, and I am grateful for this opportunity to serve”.

NiRA was founded on 23 March 2005 to oversee Nigeria’s country code top-level domain, .ng. However, the registration of domain names are handled by NiRA certified registrars, under its Registry–Registrar–Registrant model in operating and managing the top-level domain.