The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) says Nigeria is losing billions of naira annually and facing weakening consumer confidence as businesses continue to rely on foreign Internet domain names.

The Chief Operating Officer of NiRA, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Onasanya, said this at the .ng Media Advocacy and Capacity Building Initiative on Thursday in Lagos.

Onasanya said payments for foreign domains, often made in dollars, contribute to capital flight and reduce the economic benefits of Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

“Even small payments accumulate into substantial losses when millions of businesses rely on foreign platforms,” she said.

She added that beyond financial implications, the use of foreign domains affects credibility and trust, especially within the local market.

According to her, Nigerian consumers are more likely to trust businesses that use .ng because they are easier to verify and locate.

She cited instances where the use of generic foreign email domains created suspicion and led to loss of business opportunities.

“Digital identity signals legitimacy. When it is unclear or foreign, it can raise doubts and cost businesses real opportunities,” she said.

Onasanya also called for stronger policy support, including mandatory use of .ng for government organisations and business registration.

She said such measures would boost adoption, enhance trust and ensure that value generated within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem remains within the country.

The President of NiRA, Mr Adesola Akinsanya, said the issue goes beyond technology to national development and economic positioning.

Akinsanya said Nigeria must begin to see domain names as strategic assets that influence how the country is perceived globally.

He noted that despite a large digital population and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, Nigeria has not fully leveraged its domain infrastructure.

According to him, the .ng domain is central to strengthening Nigeria’s digital identity and retaining value within the economy.

He urged journalists to highlight the economic consequences of low .ng adoption and drive public awareness.

“The media must move this conversation from the margins to the mainstream.

“This is not just a technology issue; it is about economic value, trust and national alignment,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders called for urgent action to address perception gaps and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy through increased use of .ng domains. (NAN