The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) participated in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 held in Norway under the theme “Building Digital Governance Together.” The event brought together governments, civil society, technical experts, and private sector leaders from across the globe to shape a more inclusive, secure, and resilient digital future.
Representing NiRA were:
- Mr. Emmanuel Olu-Festus, Legal & Data Privacy Officer
- Mr. Alaneme Arinze Francis, Application Support Officer
- Mrs. Uchechi Kalu, Abuja Admin Officer
- Mr. Olumide Coker, Dean, .ng Academy
- Mr. Ebenezer Dare, Member, Executive Board of Directors
Nigeria at IGF 2025: Leading the Conversation on Digital Literacy and Internet Sovereignty
Nigeria hosted a dedicated Open Forum session titled “Digital Literacy as a Precondition for Achieving Universal Access.”
This critical dialogue explored the foundational role of digital literacy in bridging access gaps and ensuring inclusive participation in the digital economy. Speakers called for bold and innovative strategies to embed digital literacy into both formal education systems and informal community frameworks—especially in underserved and rural areas.
NiRA Engagement Session at IGF 2025
NiRA hosted its engagement session, bringing focus to the country’s domain name system (DNS) and internet sovereignty, and these areas were covered by NiRA representatives present. The engagement session addressed some of the most urgent and forward-looking digital policy themes, including
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the need for local policy frameworks
- Data Governance and protection in a connected world
- The Internet Market and opportunities for African economies
- Stakeholder Engagement as a foundation for inclusive digital transformation
- Policy Development for AI & the Internet
- Digital Literacy as a prerequisite for universal access
Speaking during NiRA’s engagement session, Ebenezer Dare reinforced the importance of adopting the .ng domain as a symbol of digital identity and national pride. He emphasized the importance of Nigerian businesses and institutions integrating digital tools and skills into their core processes, aligning with global trends while preserving local autonomy and ensuring long-term economic impact.
Key Takeaways for NiRA and Nigeria
Several critical insights emerged from the IGF sessions that are relevant to Nigeria’s internet governance roadmap:
- Digital Sovereignty
Nigeria must accelerate efforts in building indigenous cloud infrastructure and pursue strategic partnerships that ensure data autonomy and control. - Ethical Internet Infrastructure
Digital systems—both in terms of content and infrastructure—must align with global ethical standards and respect for human rights. - Localized AI Development
Artificial intelligence models must accurately reflect African socio-cultural realities, particularly in governance, healthcare, and education, to ensure relevance and inclusivity. - Scalable Digital Literacy
There is a need to embed digital literacy from the grassroots, starting from early education and extending to marginalized and rural populations, to build a digitally capable citizenry. - Collaborative Governance
A multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Partnerships among government, the private sector, academia, and civil society are crucial to achieving regional coherence and effective digital policy implementation.
Reflections and the Road Ahead
As IGF 2025 draws to a close, NiRA reflects on a productive week of dialogue, discovery, and digital diplomacy. Our delegates not only shared Nigeria’s story but also returned with valuable perspectives to shape our national strategies moving forward.
NiRA remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s digital identity, promoting the .ng domain, and building an internet ecosystem that is inclusive, sovereign, and future-ready.