At the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), held on Thursday at the NiRA main office in Lagos, the association highlighted remarkable progress across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem in 2024.
NiRA President Adesola Akinsanya celebrated the .ng domain’s standing as Africa’s second-ranked country code, trailing only South Africa’s .za, and welcomed new board members who will “strengthen our governance structure and position NiRA for greater impact.”
The AGM showcased impressive statistics, with NiRA managing 229,583 .ng domain names by the end of 2024. This included 100,785 new registrations and 67,224 renewals, representing a 7.8 percent growth over the previous year. Financially, NiRA reported an income of NGN 609.95 million, a remarkable 75 percent increase from 2023, resulting in a surplus of NGN 237.4 million. These figures underscore the association’s growing influence and operational success.
Strengthening security and expanding partnerships
A major highlight of the year was the successful implementation of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a critical step toward enhancing domain integrity and protecting users from cyber threats.
NiRA’s President emphasised, “Security remains a top priority as we safeguard Nigeria’s digital identity.” The association also deepened strategic collaborations with national and international partners, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with joint initiatives focused on training law enforcement officers in cybersecurity and domain-related issues.
NiRA launched an incentive program for accredited registrars to boost domain adoption, rewarding those who met registration benchmarks. By October 2024, 34 registrars had earned bonuses, fuelling the upward trend in domain registrations. NiRA also engaged with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to reinforce data privacy frameworks, further cementing its role as a leader in Nigeria’s digital governance.
Beyond technical and regulatory efforts, NiRA maintained its commitment to social responsibility through the Ndukwe Kalu Foundation, advancing youth empowerment and digital literacy. The association’s flagship event, the 7th .ng Awards, honoured individuals and organisations contributing to promoting the .ng domain and Nigeria’s digital future.
Vision for 2025 and beyond: Driving digital transformation
Looking ahead, NiRA outlined ambitious plans to expand the global presence of the .ng brand and advocate for a safer, more inclusive internet.
President Akinsanya affirmed, “Our mission is to lead Nigeria’s digital transformation by fostering collaboration, innovation, and security.” The association aims to strengthen stakeholder partnerships, continue DNS security enhancements, and drive greater domain adoption through targeted marketing and capacity-building initiatives.
NiRA’s strategic focus also included a constitutional review to streamline executive responsibilities and establish a C-level management structure, enhancing organizational capacity. Collaborations with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) introduced domain and hosting bundles for new businesses, supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Throughout 2024, NiRA actively participated in major forums such as the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), the West African Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), and the Nigeria Digital Sense Forum. These platforms facilitated rich dialogue on digital innovation, cybersecurity, and internet governance, reinforcing NiRA’s leadership role regionally and internationally.
Also, newly elected members to the Executive Board of Directors include Mary Olaseni, Abibat Olatunji, and Ahmad Mukoshy, CEO Gigalayer.
The following are existing board members who assumed new roles: Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (MD/CEO Anambra ICT Agency), the Financial Secretary, Mr Destiny Amana, and the treasurer.
The association’s commitment to transparency and accountability was reflected in its financial management, with a clean audit opinion issued by Adeniyi Christopher & Co. for the year ending December 31, 2024. The auditors confirmed that NiRA’s financial statements “give a true and fair view of its financial position,” complying fully with international standards and regulatory requirements.
In closing, President Akinsanya extended sincere appreciation to all stakeholders, staff, and board members, reaffirming NiRA’s dedication to “building a digital future that serves Nigeria and uplifts every stakeholder.” With strong governance, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, NiRA is well-positioned to continue driving Nigeria’s digital transformation in the years ahead.
