Government officials, lawmakers, and tech leaders gathered under one banner, to define what it truly means for a country to own its place in the digital world.

This was Tech Convergence 2.0, and the message was unmistakable: Nigeria must take ownership of its digital identity through the .ng domain.

Organized by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the event brought together high-ranking policymakers, including representatives from the Nigerian Senate, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Their collective call was urgent and unified, to accelerate the adoption of the .ng country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) across public and private sectors as a matter of national identity, pride, and sovereignty.

“We now live in a digital world, and we must also take ownership of our presence online,” declared Senator Diket Plang, who represented Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“For us, the true mark of that ownership is through the .ng domain.”

Digital Identity as National Identity

The theme of the conference, “Nigeria First Online”, was not just a slogan; it was a vision. It called for digital patriotism, urging Nigerians to support homegrown internet infrastructure and services as part of the country’s broader Made-in-Nigeria initiative championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Stakeholders emphasized that Nigeria’s digital identity is an extension of its national identity, and that protecting and promoting the .ng domain is both a patriotic act and a strategic necessity in a world where governance, commerce, and innovation are increasingly digital-first.

Although Nigeria’s .ng domain ranks second in Africa in registration volume, participants agreed that there’s still much ground to cover in achieving full-scale adoption.

“We must understand that we are stakeholders in our Internet space and must promote what is ours,” added Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity.

Building Digital Trust through Local Ownership

For Adesola Akinsanya, president of NiRA, the .ng domain represents far more than an internet address.

“.ng is a symbol of Nigerian digital pride,” she said. “Our mission is to build trust through the Nigerian identity online and ensure every Nigerian is identifiable through our digital identity, the .ng domain.”

Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, chairperson of NiRA’s Board of Trustees, echoed this sentiment, urging public and private sector organizations to prioritize the use of local digital infrastructure.

“There should be an urgent need to adopt what is ours, which is the .ng domain,” she said.

Representing NITDA, a spokesperson underscored that digital infrastructure has evolved beyond communication, it now forms the backbone of national innovation and governance.

“The internet has gone beyond just communication; it’s an infrastructure for innovation and identity,” the representative emphasized.

Government’s Commitment: From Policy to Practice

Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, director general of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), disclosed that the Bureau is already working to ensure that all communications across Nigeria’s over 120,000 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) migrate to the .ng domain.

This, he explained, will not only protect national data sovereignty but also ensure consistency, security, and trust in government communications.

“Every government email, website, and service should reflect Nigeria’s digital identity. That is what strengthens our national brand online,” he said.

A Call to Action: Owning Our Narrative Online

For Oluwaseyi Onasanya, chief operating officer of NiRA, the discussion went beyond policy and technology, it was about national consciousness.

“Nigerians need to adopt .ng to allow us to own our narrative online,” he said, describing digital identity ownership as a collective responsibility that builds unity and trust in the digital space.

As the event concluded, one message resonated through the hall: Nigeria’s digital identity must be owned, built, and secured by Nigerians.

Tech Convergence 2.0 was more than a conference, it was a national call to action. A reminder that in the digital age, patriotism isn’t just about flying the flag, it’s about hosting it. And for Nigeria, that flag flies under .ng.

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the event promises to be a landmark gathering for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

With the theme: “Building Nigeria’s Digital Future: The Internet as a Catalyst for Growth,” Tech Convergence 2.0 will bring together leading voices across government, industry, academia, civil society, and the private sector to deliberate on strategies that will position Nigeria as a leading digital powerhouse in Africa and beyond.

The internet continues to transform Nigeria’s economy, contributing to the expansion of e-commerce, fintech, education technology, creative industries, and digital services.

According to recent reports, Nigeria’s digital economy contributes over 18% to the national GDP, making it a critical driver of growth and innovation.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, NiRA President, underscored the importance of securing Nigeria’s online identity: “Nigeria’s digital economy is a powerhouse, but to sustain its momentum, we must fortify our local internet infrastructure and identity. That is the essence of Tech Convergence uniting stakeholders to safeguard our digital sovereignty through the .ng domain and to unlock the full potential of a connected Nigeria.”

He added that the internet is no longer just an enabler but the engine of digital transformation, with the .ng domain as a symbol of ownership, trust, and sovereignty in Nigeria’s online space.

The Event Chairman, Mr. Seun Kehinde, highlighted the stakeholder-centric design of the conference: “Tech Convergence is more than just an event it is a collaborative platform where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are built, and solutions are crafted. As stakeholders, we share a collective responsibility to ensure the internet continues to drive inclusive growth and innovation in Nigeria.”

The inaugural edition in 2024, held in Lagos, drew more than 400 participants and 25 speakers from across the tech ecosystem. Discussions explored the internet’s role in bridging the gap between the creative sector and digital content. Building on this success, Tech Convergence 2.0 will expand its focus to cover policy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, local content, and emerging technologies.

NiRA has continued to invest in strengthening Nigeria’s internet infrastructure to support innovation and security. Initiatives such as: WHOIS Privacy Redaction – ensuring privacy and protection for registrants of the .ng domain; DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) – adding a crucial layer of protection against cyber threats and Capacity Development via the .ng Academy – training thousands of Nigerians on digital skills, domain entrepreneurship and internet governance.

According to NiRA’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Seyi Onasanya: “Our commitment goes beyond managing the .ng domain. We are laying the groundwork for a resilient internet ecosystem that can support startups, SMEs, public institutions and innovators who will shape Nigeria’s digital future.”

What to Expect at Tech Convergence 2.0

This year’s edition will feature:

• Keynote Addresses from top government officials, industry leaders, and international experts.
• Panel Discussions covering digital sovereignty, AI and emerging tech, internet governance, cybersecurity, and the role of domains in business growth.
• Startup Showcase spotlighting Nigerian innovators leveraging the internet to disrupt industries.
• Networking Sessions designed to connect stakeholders and foster partnerships.
• Hybrid Access – ensuring both in-person and virtual participants can fully engage.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Venue: Lagos Osun Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja
Time: 11:00 AM
Participation: Hybrid – Limited in-person slots available; virtual attendance via NiRA’s website and social media channels.

Registration is now open via the official tech convergence website. Early registration is encouraged due to limited physical slots.

Techeconomy is official media partner to Tech Convergence 2.0