At the heart of ConNovate 2025 in Kano, one message rang clear: Nigeria cannot thrive in the digital age without first securing its identity. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) rose to this challenge, leading conversations and capacity-building efforts that underscored the central role of the .ng domain in innovation, security, and digital sovereignty.

Before the main conference opened, .ng Academy hosted a pre-conference workshop on Cybersecurity, which attracted over 200 participants from academia, MDAs, private sector organizations, and students.

The workshop was facilitated by Shehu Mohammed, NiRA’s Network & Infrastructure Officer, and Hamzat Lateef, Founder & COO at Cyberplural, who delivered practical, threat-informed sessions on digital defense strategies.

Participants were not just trained, they were empowered. Through hands-on sessions, they explored real-world cyber threats, mastered digital defense toolkits, and gained actionable insights into keeping systems, data, and identities secure.

This wasn’t just a workshop. It was an investment in Nigeria’s digital resilience a commitment to ensuring that the next generation is not only digitally skilled but also cyber-aware.

In a defining moment of the conference’s Youth Session, the Dean of .ng Academy, Olumide Coker, representing NiRA’s Chief Operating Officer, presented a paper titled “Owning Our Digital Identity: Why .ng Domains Matter for Innovation and Security.” He challenged delegates to rethink the meaning of digital independence. How can a nation innovate if it relies on foreign-owned internet identities? How can we secure our future if our digital presence is outsourced? How do we expect global respect if our innovators are not building on a homegrown foundation?

The answer lies in .ng, Nigeria’s unique internet identity. More than a domain, .ng is a symbol of sovereignty, a platform for entrepreneurs, a shield for security, and a catalyst for innovation.

NiRA’s delegation—led by Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President of NiRA, and including Mr. Murtala Mohammed, Vice President; Mr. Destiny Amana, Executive Board Director; Olumide Coker, Dean of .ng Academy; Bimbo Aderibigbe, Registrar’s Relationship Manager; Shehu Mohammed, Network & Infrastructure Manager; and Jessica Alexander, Programmes & Training Officer, .ng Academy made a strong and purposeful impact throughout the conference.

 Together, they amplified a clear and compelling message:

• Security is non-negotiable – innovation cannot thrive without resilient digital infrastructure.
• Identity is power – the .ng domain secures Nigeria’s place in the global digital economy.
• Capacity is the bridge – through the .ng Academy, NiRA is empowering Nigerians with the knowledge and skills to lead, not follow.

 ConNovate 2025 wasn’t just another conference. It was a reminder that Nigeria’s digital future is being written today in classrooms, in startups, in government offices, and in every domain name registered under .ng.