NiRA Records 76,907 All Time High Active Domains on .ng in 2016

Nigeria Internet Registration (NIRA) efforts to deepen the .ng domain acceptance in the country have continued to garner positive results.

NiRA, the registry for .ng Internet Domain Names and maintains the database of names registered in the .ng country code Top Level Domain, reported that the active domains in the country in 2016 reached 76,907.

The Body is a self-regulating body and managers of the .ng national resource, the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) name space in the public interest of Nigeria and global internet communities.

The figure, though still a far cry from the potentials in the country’s DNS industry, however, statistics released by NiRA recently shows it is the all time high, doubles the 33,752 recorded in 2015, while 31,542 were recorded in 2014.

According to report obtained by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Rev’ Sunday Folayan, the president affirmed, “There is always a lull in Domain Name Registrations and Renewals at the Registry in the last month of the year. 2016 December follows the same trend annually”.

He said that, overall, registrations have maintained a steady increase, on a year on year basis.

“The increase in domain name registration is more noticeable when viewed across the different years. The domain names registered and renewed in December 2016 (4,381) is more than the registrations in December 2015 (2,846) and almost doubled the registration in November 2014 (2,325).

Year 2016 was significant to NIRA which celebrated a decade of working assiduously to the growth of .ng domain name brand in the country.

NIRA’s Expectations In 2017
Speaking on activities and expectations for 2017, the President said that the New Year comes with lots of hopes, aspirations, goals and target setting by all.

“It might be about new businesses, or expansion plans, propelling everyone to eagerly commence the activities for the year and tap into all the opportunities the New Year always brings. There are many technology predictions (locally and globally) for 2017, with the prediction on the growth in domain name registrations very prominent.

“In 2016, we positioned NiRA to be a significant part of the industrial and economic growth of Nigeria in subsequent years. NIRA was very prominent in the Nigerian Technological space and we intend to continue on this path this year, so we can remain relevant not only as far as the Technology Industry is concerned, but also in the larger Socio-economic space.

“In 2016, you will have noticed the .ng adverts and promotions on BRT buses, TVs, Newspapers, social media and other online platforms. One is pleased that Business owners now proudly flaunt their .ng domain names as part of their advert campaigns. It is a movement, and it is gaining momentum.  .ng is the future for the taking, and the future is here.

This year, some of the activities outlined to take the growth in .ng domain registration to another level are:

Exploiting Internationalized domain names (IDNs) in the three main Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba); Introduction of Domain Name System (DNS)  in the Nigerian educational curriculum; Appointment of .ng ambassadors from the Business and Art world; .ng Roadshows to all geopolitical zones of Nigeria and Collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Chamber of Commerce, Trademark Registry, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC),  etc.

“As we hope for the best of 2017, let’s not forget to count our blessings and appreciate everyone that has contributed to the progress of yester years. On behalf of the Executive Board of Directors and Staff of NIRA, I will like to thank all our stakeholders, Members, Registrars, Registrants, Gentlemen of the Press and all well-wishers for your wonderful support in 2016, It made our work easier!

“We see a very bright 2017. We hope to accomplish our goals and aspirations for the year. We shall put in our best in all our endeavours. We count on the support of everyone”, he added.