Launch .ng Ambassador Programme to drive digital sovereignty, local domain adoption

By Juliet Umeh

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem have raised concerns over the country’s growing dependence on foreign digital infrastructure, warning that Nigeria is losing an estimated $850 million annually by failing to fully leverage its indigenous digital identity infrastructure and country code domain, .ng.

The warning was issued at the third edition of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association’s, NiRA, annual Tech Convergence conference held in Abuja under the theme: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Independence: The Role of Policy, Digital Identity, and .ng for Economic Growth.”

The conference, which brought together lawmakers, regulators, industry leaders and technology stakeholders, ended with a strong consensus that Nigeria must urgently take ownership of its digital identity, infrastructure and online presence to safeguard national security and unlock economic opportunities.

President of NiRA, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, said digital independence should not be mistaken for isolation from the global internet but rather the ability of a nation to exercise greater control over its data, infrastructure and digital assets.

According to him, “Digital independence does not mean isolation from the global internet. It means a secure, resilient and competitive digital ecosystem that gives Nigeria greater control over its data, infrastructure, digital identity system and online presence.”

A major highlight of the conference was the revelation that Nigeria’s reliance on foreign domains, offshore data hosting and non-indigenous digital platforms continues to drain economic value from the country while exposing citizens’ data to external jurisdictions.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, described Nigeria’s control of its digital identity as a matter of national security.

Drawing parallels with global technology rivalries and digital sovereignty battles across major economies, Salisu said the .ng domain represents a strategic national asset.

“We may have the Navy to protect our marine borders. Our Air Force may be free in the air to protect our airspace. But your data is somewhere in China. We are vulnerable as a people and that is why this conversation is extremely important. One area where we can take very good control is the .ng domain, because this is our address,” he said.

He further questioned why organisations operating in Nigeria would continue to maintain foreign digital identities.

“Why would a nation physically residing in Nigeria give its contact address as France? Why should that be any different for the .ng domain? This is our address and no one should be allowed to take it from us,” he added.

The conference attracted participation from key government agencies and industry bodies, including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Nigeria Copyright Commission and the Internet Society of Nigeria.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for government institutions and businesses to host Nigerian data locally, arguing that domestic hosting would improve accessibility, reduce latency, strengthen data protection and stimulate investments in local data centres and cloud infrastructure.

As part of efforts to deepen local domain adoption, Senator Salisu proposed policy interventions that would require .ng email addresses for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) applicants, mandate .ng domain registration for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)-registered businesses and beneficiaries of government support programmes, and integrate .ng usage into national digital initiatives.

One of the major outcomes of the conference was the launch of the .ng Ambassador Programme, an initiative designed to build a network of advocates across government, academia, industry and civil society to champion the adoption of Nigeria’s country code domain.

Chairperson of the NiRA Board of Trustees, Dr. Ibukun Odusote, described the initiative as a strategic tool for advancing Nigeria’s digital sovereignty agenda.

“The .ng Ambassador Programme provides an opportunity for stakeholders to actively participate in shaping and promoting Nigeria’s digital future. Together, let us strengthen Nigeria’s digital independence. Together, let us build trust in our digital future,” she said.

The conference also secured commitments from both chambers of the National Assembly to support policies and legislation aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy.

Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Stanley Olajide, pledged legislative backing for initiatives emerging from the conference and called for measurable targets that could be assessed at the next edition of Tech Convergence.

“We want to move from well said to well done. Whatever legislative support is required, you can be assured we will take it, evangelize it and implement it. Because the moment you deliver it to us, it is no longer yours, it is something we will own and run with,” Olajide stated.

The conference also urged Nigeria to take a leadership role in Africa’s digital development by championing efforts to reclaim internet resources allocated to the continent and strengthening indigenous digital infrastructure across the region.

Stakeholders agreed that increasing adoption of the .ng domain, strengthening local hosting infrastructure and implementing supportive policies would be critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital sovereignty ambitions and positioning the country as a leading digital economy in Africa.