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The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has reported a slight decline in the total number of .ng domain name registrations, renewals, and restorations in December 2024. According to the latest statistics, the total count dropped to 229,583, following modest growth in October (230,454) and November (231,853).
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Despite the minor decline, NiRA remains optimistic about the continued growth and adoption of Nigeria’s country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), .ng, across various sectors of the economy.
.ng Domain Growth Trends in 2024
The report highlights fluctuations in domain activity throughout 2024, with registrations, renewals, and restorations experiencing both growth and slight declines:
- July 2024: 226,454 total .ng domains
- August 2024: Increased to 228,775
- September 2024: Further growth to 230,232
- October 2024: Peaked at 230,454
- November 2024: Rose to 231,853
- December 2024: Slight decline to 229,583
In terms of new registrations, numbers reached 8,589 in October, dropping slightly to 8,561 in November and 7,979 in December.
Similarly, domain renewals followed a downward trend, from 6,349 in October to 5,726 in November, and 5,424 in December.
However, restorations saw a mixed trend, increasing from 148 in October to 176 in November, before dropping to 165 in December.
Why .ng Domain Matters for Nigeria’s Digital Identity
The .ng domain serves as Nigeria’s official identity in cyberspace, helping businesses, government agencies, and individuals establish a distinct national presence online. Similar to .co.uk in the United Kingdom, .com in the United States, and .co.za in South Africa, the .ng suffix signifies an official connection to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s consistent growth in .ng domain adoption has earned global recognition, with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) commending the country last year for surpassing 225,000 registered domains—a milestone achieved in June 2023 when Nigeria hit 226,702 registrations.
NiRA Confident in Future Growth of .ng Domain
Despite the slight drop in registrations, NiRA President Adesola Akinsanya remains confident in the upward trajectory of Nigeria’s digital adoption.
“This is not an indication of decline but rather a reflection of shifting market behaviors. We anticipate robust growth in .ng domain adoption in the months ahead,” Akinsanya stated during a training session for NiRA’s accredited online registrars.
He reaffirmed NiRA’s commitment to driving digital transformation, fostering innovation, and strengthening Nigeria’s online presence through increased awareness, affordability, and streamlined registration processes.
The Road Ahead for .ng Domains
Industry experts predict that Nigeria’s .ng domain ecosystem will continue to grow, driven by:
- Rising digital adoption across businesses and government sectors
- More awareness campaigns promoting the importance of a Nigerian digital identity
- Improved access to domain registration services
- Policy incentives encouraging local domain adoption
With a high potential for future growth, NiRA remains at the forefront of ensuring that .ng domains become a dominant force in Nigeria’s digital economy.
