In a notable achievement, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has announced the registration of 215,441 .ng domain names in the past two years, showcasing a substantial increase compared to previous adoption rates. President of NIRA, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, shared this accomplishment, shedding light on the positive trend evident in the widespread adoption of .ng domain names.
Just two years ago, .ng registrations struggled to surpass the 100,000 mark. Fast forward to today, and the count has soared beyond 200,000. Akinsanya attributes this growth to heightened awareness and implemented measures, acknowledging that while the adoption rate is promising, it hasn’t quite met certain expectations.
Despite a global downturn in domain name adoption, particularly in country code extensions competing with generic top-level domains like .com, .ng has demonstrated robust progress.
Akinsanya acknowledged challenges, including perceptions of localization and concerns about limited global coverage.
Trust issues also play a role, with some apprehensive about potential government interference and expressing a preference for a global outlook.
The NIRA president emphasized the imperative need for increased awareness, targeting organizations such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to spearhead .ng domain adoption.
Strategic initiatives, such as leveraging the Ndukwe Kanu Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility and collaborating with professional bodies, aim to bridge awareness gaps.
Akinsanya underscored the multifaceted benefits of adopting .ng domains, including enhanced brand recognition, a distinctive local identity, improved search engine optimization, and increased availability. .ng domains offer an affordable option, with prices starting from N400 for .name.ng and less than N1500 for .com.ng. Beyond affordability, the move contributes to the local economy, fostering economic growth without dependence on foreign currencies.
To further stimulate adoption, NIRA collaborates with organizations such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Together, they aim to integrate .ng domains into policies and streamline the registration process for new businesses. The .ng domain is renowned for its robust security features, and initiatives like DNS SEC further fortify its overall security, assuring users of a secure and reliable online presence
