Nigeria has officially unveiled DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) on the .ng domain, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and cybersecurity framework.
The unveiling was carried out by Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the registry responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code top-level domain, .ng, during a media advocacy and capacity building workshop held in Lagos on Thursday.
The development places Nigeria among countries adopting advanced technologies to secure their internet ecosystems, while reinforcing efforts to build a resilient and globally competitive digital economy.
DNSSEC is an internet security protocol designed to protect users and organisations from cyber threats that redirect internet traffic to fraudulent or malicious websites.
It introduces cryptographic verification into the Domain Name System, helping ensure users visiting .ng websites are connected to authentic destinations.
What they are saying
Speaking during the unveiling, NiRA President, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, said the successful deployment marks a defining moment for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.
- “As more critical services move online, it is essential that we provide a secure and trusted digital environment for citizens, businesses, and government.
- “This milestone reflects our commitment to global best practices and to building a resilient digital future for Nigeria,” the President said.
NiRA said the unveiling represents more than a technical milestone, describing it as a strategic national advancement in cybersecurity and digital trust with implications for the economy, governance, and online safety.
- The association added that a secure domain name system is fundamental to digital economy growth, noting that stronger trust in the .ng namespace would create an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and digital services.
- The rollout is expected to benefit sectors that rely heavily on secure digital infrastructure, including financial services, telecommunications, e-commerce, and government platforms.
Institutions regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission are expected to gain enhanced protection against phishing, spoofing, and data interception.
More insights
NiRA said the deployment aligns with national digital transformation and cybersecurity objectives championed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to the association, the DNSSEC implementation has been completed, with the .ng zone fully signed and currently undergoing a monitoring phase to ensure continued stability and performance.
A phased rollout will now begin, allowing accredited registrars and domain owners to adopt DNSSEC protection for their individual domain names.
NiRA’s Chief Operating Officer, Seyi Onasanya, said the deployment was the result of careful planning, technical expertise, and collaboration across the ecosystem.
- “While the .ng zone has now been securely signed, our focus is on ensuring a smooth rollout and driving adoption among registrars and domain owners,” the COO said.
NiRA urged organisations operating critical digital services, particularly banks, fintech companies, telecom providers, government agencies, and e-commerce platforms, to integrate DNSSEC into their cybersecurity frameworks.
The COO said stronger trust and security in Nigeria’s online environment would help boost confidence in digital services, support e-commerce growth, and accelerate the expansion of the digital economy.
What you should know
The Nigerian domain name .ng has witnessed slow adoption despite its inherent benefits, as many web developers go for the global .com domain.
Last year, the Nigerian Senate, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the NITDA joined a broad coalition of stakeholders to call for the urgent and comprehensive implementation of .ng domain adoption to promote and solidify Nigeria’s digital identity.
- While the .ng ccTLD already ranks second in Africa, they stressed that the national drive to patronize “Made-in-Nigeria” products and services, as espoused by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy, must now aggressively extend to the digital space.
- Owning Nigeria’s digital identity through .ng is seen as both an act of sovereignty and a strategic necessity in an era where governance, business, and innovation are increasingly digital-first.
