Nigeria’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), .ng, was launched almost 20 years ago by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA). But despite Nigeria’s massive population and growing internet penetration, adoption of the .ng domain remains surprisingly low. Why is this the case, and what’s being done to boost its usage?
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll find in this article:
- Current .ng domain adoption numbers
- Historical data on .ng registrations and renewals
- Reasons for slow .ng adoption (and they might surprise you!)
- NiRA’s strategies to promote the .ng domain
- The role of government initiatives in driving .ng adoption
.ng Domain: A Slow Burn?
As of March 2025, the .ng domain has only about 231,556 users. Data from NiRA reveals fluctuating adoption rates. While there were 9,591 new registrations, 8,339 renewals, and 215 restorations in January 2025, the overall numbers haven’t exploded as expected, compared to 215,496 in the same month in 2024 and 184,425 in 2023. It shows a lack of exponential growth.
What’s a Domain Name, Anyway?
For those who might not know, a domain name is basically your address on the internet. It’s how people find you. Think of it like this: if the internet is a city, your domain name is your street address. The .ng domain is Nigeria’s specific identifier in that city, the cyberspace. Just like official emails in the UK end with .co.uk, and in the US they end with .com/.usa, Nigeria’s official emails are meant to use .ng.
.ng vs. The World: A David and Goliath Story
The .ng domain represents a tiny fraction (0.000504353) of the world’s 365.5 million registered and functional ccTLDs. This is despite Nigeria having over 200 million people and around 160 million internet users. Compare that to South Africa, which, with a smaller population of 60.4 million, boasts 1.25 million registered and active .za domains. Even Kenya, with a population of 53.7 million, has 93,446 registered .ke users.
Why Isn’t .ng Taking Off? The Mystery Unveiled
So, what’s holding .ng back? Several factors are at play:
- Nigerians love foreign things: There’s a perception that foreign products are better, which extends to domain names.
- Money Matters: The cost of the .ng domain can be a barrier for some, especially smaller businesses.
- Online Reluctance: Some Nigerian businesses are still hesitant to establish an online presence.
Forex Crisis to the Rescue?
NiRA President, Sola Akinsanya, pointed out that the forex crisis might be inadvertently driving .ng adoption. With the exchange rate soaring, .com and other international domains have become significantly more expensive. The relatively cheaper .ng, with Naira availability, is becoming a more attractive option.
NiRA’s Battle Plan: Awareness and Capacity Building
NiRA isn’t sitting idly by. They’re investing heavily in capacity building and awareness campaigns to highlight the value of .ng. They want people to see it as just as valuable as .com and other popular domains.
Government to the Rescue: MDAs Step Up
The Nigerian government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is also playing a role. They’re conducting quarterly training sessions for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to encourage them to use the .gov.ng domain. This is a big step in promoting the adoption of .ng at the official level.
The Patriotism Factor: A Call to Action
Ultimately, the biggest challenge to .ng adoption might be a lack of patriotism. NiRA believes that Nigerians need to embrace their own domain and recognize its importance in establishing a strong online identity.
About The Author
