In recent times, some Registrants have admittedly indicated that they didn’t renew their expired domain names before the names got deleted from the registry. Domains names are only deleted 102 days after they expire. Once a domain name is deleted, that name is available for registration by anyone on a first come first serve basis.
Let me advise Registrants to take the pains to protect the domain names used for their businesses. The domain name used for an online business should be kept away from from domain name squatters. These are individuals looking for expired domain names which they would register for various reasons.
These domain speculators are on the lookout for branded names or good brands and expired domain names for business purposes. It is the responsibility of the registrant to ensure that they renew their domain names, especially those used for online businesses.
NiRA has various policies on Domain Name registration, and these are available on the NiRA website https://www.nira.org.ng/legal/policy
The .ng Registry has published the “Domain Name Life Cycle” Policy to guide the Registrars, Registrants and the General Public. Domain Names can be registered for a period of 1 to 5 years and the Domain Name Life Cycle Policy explains the life cycle from registration to deletion. The document is at https://www.nira.org.ng/images/Policies/NG_Domain_Name_Life_Cycle_Policy.pdf
At every stage of the domain life cycle, an email is sent to the Registrant on the status on the domain name. This is one of the reasons why registrants should ensure that the correct contact details are supplied when the domains are registered. The details are available on the NiRA WHOIS, http://whois.nic.net.ng/whois.jsp.
I remain at your service.
Rev’d Sunday Folayan
President