Nigeria Unveils DNSSEC to Tackle Rising Cyber Threats, Boost Digital Trust
Nigeria, through the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has unveiled Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) on its .ng domain, marking a major milestone toward strengthening national cybersecurity and enhancing trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code top-level domain. officially unveiled the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) on the .ng country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), at the .ng Media Advocacy and Capacity Building Initiative held on April 16, 2026, at the NIRA Secretariat in Lagos.
The development places Nigeria among countries adopting advanced technologies to secure their internet infrastructure and support a resilient digital economy.
DNSSEC is an internet security protocol designed to protect users from cyber threats such as redirection to fraudulent websites, strengthen internet security and combat cyber threats, such as phishing and DNS hijacking by adding cryptographic verification to the domain name system.
Speaking at the unveiling, the President of NiRA, Adesola Akinsanya, described the deployment as a defining moment for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.
Akinsanya said “The successful deployment of DNSSEC on the .ng domain represents a major milestone. As more services move online, it is critical to ensure a secure and trusted digital environment for citizens, businesses, and government.”
Akinsanya explained that the initiative aligns with global best practices and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to building a secure and competitive digital economy.
He reassured that strengthening trust in the .ng domain would create an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and growth in digital services.
President of NiRA, affirmed that a secure domain name system is fundamental to the development of the digital economy.
He also urged organisations, particularly those operating critical services, to adopt DNSSEC as part of their cybersecurity frameworks.
The initiative is expected to benefit sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, e-commerce, and government platforms by offering enhanced protection against cyber threats including phishing and data interception.
Institutions regulated by bodies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are among those expected to gain from the improved security framework.
The deployment also aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda supported by agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Implementation & Collaboration: The initiative is part of NiRA’s 2024–2025 strategic plans to enhance the resilience of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, supported by partnerships with local and international stakeholders.
Training & Capacity Building: NiRA has conducted specialized workshops (in collaboration with partners like ICANN and NSRC) to train ISP providers, registrars, and other stakeholders on DNSSEC deployment, risk analysis, and security monitoring.
Digital Trust: By implementing DNSSEC, NiRA aims to boost trust in the .ng brand, making it a more secure, credible, and reliable digital identity for businesses and individuals.
The Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, Oluwaseyi Onasanya, said the .ng domain had been fully signed and was currently in a monitoring phase to ensure stability and optimal performance.
She added that a phased rollout would allow accredited registrars and domain owners to adopt DNSSEC protection for their individual domains.
“This deployment is the result of extensive planning and collaboration. Our focus now is to ensure seamless adoption across the ecosystem,” she said.
Accordingly, NiRA called on businesses and organisations to leverage the new capability and embrace the .ng domain as a secure and trusted digital identity.
The association said it would continue to work with stakeholders to drive awareness, build capacity, and accelerate adoption nationwide.