By Adesola Akinsanya, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA)

It was a Wednesday morning filled with focused faces, bright screens, and thoughtful engagement. From Lagos to Abuja, and from Port Harcourt to Kano, members of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and guests logged into the Q4 Virtual Members’ Training, eager to learn something different something beyond the usual DNS and digital governance topics.

The theme for the day, “Mortgage Opportunities and Products in Nigeria,” sparked curiosity even before the session began. It seemed, at first glance, a bit unusual for a registry known for managing Nigeria’s digital identity through the .ng country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD). But beneath that curiosity lay something powerful: NiRA’s intentional shift toward empowering its members holistically both professionally and financially.

In his opening remarks, the President of NiRA, Adesola Akinsanya, set the tone for the morning. Speaking with calm conviction, he reminded participants that building wealth begins with understanding opportunities, not merely chasing them. “As professionals in the digital space,” he said, “we often focus on innovation and service delivery. But sustainable success comes when we align our financial decisions with our professional growth. That’s what this session is about learning to build not just careers, but financial legacies.”

That statement captured the essence of NiRA’s evolving vision. The Association’s support for its members now extends far beyond technical training. It is about developing well-rounded individuals professionals who can manage both their digital competencies and their financial future.

A Legacy of Learning and Impact

The Q4 training was not an isolated initiative; it was part of a consistent effort by NiRA to support its members through continuous education. Earlier in the year, the Association organized two well-received virtual trainings:

• Q2 Session: Financial Planning for Professionals – Building Long-Term Wealth
• Q3 Session: Smart Investing & Wealth Management for Professionals

Both sessions generated tremendous feedback from participants across Nigeria and even from the diaspora. Many expressed how the insights gained helped them rethink their personal finance strategies, guiding them toward better investment choices and savings culture.

These conversations were more than theoretical they inspired real action. And so, when the Q4 topic was announced, it felt like a natural progression in NiRA’s financial empowerment journey: moving from planning and investing to owning tangible assets that secure the future.

Why Mortgage Conversations Matter in the Digital Space

For many Nigerian professionals, particularly those in technology and digital services, the concept of mortgage financing remains unfamiliar or intimidating. Yet, home ownership remains one of the most secure and rewarding forms of investment one that offers both stability and legacy.

The session helped demystify this complex topic, explaining the different mortgage structures available in Nigeria, how interest rates and payment plans work, and what to look out for when assessing property investments.

Participants learned about key mortgage institutions in Nigeria, and how digital tools can simplify access to these facilities. By blending practical financial knowledge with technology-driven insights, NiRA’s approach once again demonstrated how digital literacy can complement real-world growth.

A central message echoed throughout the event: continuous learning is the foundation of empowerment. NiRA’s .ng Academy, the Association’s flagship capacity-building arm, continues to play a crucial role in this mission. With its robust Learning Management System (LMS) accessible via www.academy.ng members and the wider public can now enroll in self-paced, free or subsidized courses designed to build both technical and professional skills.

The LMS currently hosts nine curated programs, including:

• Annual MDA Technical Training
• Cybersecurity Awareness
• DNS Management and Administration
• Reseller Entrepreneurship Program (to support registrars)
• Street Digital Skills Program
• Etc.

These programs are more than online classes; they are pathways to career growth, employability, and innovation. The Academy continues to attract professionals across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem from government webmasters to private-sector ICT teams fostering a culture of competence and collaboration.

During the session, the President encouraged all members to take advantage of these opportunities: “Visit the LMS regularly,” he said, “and encourage your teams to do the same. Every skill you gain through learning adds another layer to your professional value. In the digital economy, your knowledge is your capital.”

NiRA’s strategy reflects a forward-thinking model of organizational leadership, one that doesn’t just manage infrastructure but nurtures people. By investing in capacity building and financial literacy, the Association is empowering its members to see the bigger picture: how technology and economic stability go hand in hand.

This approach aligns with NiRA’s broader mission to strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through responsible stewardship, innovation, and inclusiveness. When members are financially secure and professionally competent, they are better positioned to contribute to the growth and trustworthiness of the .ng domain space.

As a registry that represents Nigeria’s digital identity globally, NiRA recognizes that a strong nation begins with empowered individuals. Hence, every training, every mentorship, and every partnership is a building block toward a sustainable digital and economic future.

The Q4 training ended with engaging discussions and real-life case studies from participants who shared their financial journeys. Some had successfully started saving for property; others were exploring joint investment opportunities inspired by previous sessions. What stood out, however, was the sense of community professionals from different industries learning, sharing, and growing together under one digital umbrella.

The event’s virtual format proved once again that geography is no longer a barrier to growth. NiRA’s commitment to accessibility means that members from any part of the country and indeed, the world can participate in trainings, contribute to discussions, and benefit from shared knowledge.

As NiRA prepares for another year of member-focused initiatives, the President reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to expanding its learning ecosystem, strengthening registrar engagement, and creating more value-driven programs.

“The future belongs to those who can balance innovation with financial intelligence,” Akinsanya concluded. “We want NiRA members to be known not just as digital experts, but as well-rounded leaders who create value online and offline.”

In a world where technology is evolving faster than ever, NiRA’s vision offers a refreshing balance: digital competence anchored by financial confidence. And as the virtual session came to a close, one truth lingered among the attendees that learning with NiRA is not just about managing domains; it’s about building the capacity, confidence, and character needed to thrive in the digital age.

Interested professionals and members are encouraged to visit www.academy.ng to explore free and self-paced learning opportunities under the .ng Academy. Because in today’s world, the best investment you can make is in yourself.