The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has officially appointed Seyi Onasanya as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective April 1, 2025.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by NiRA President, Mr. Akinsola Adesanya, highlighting a strategic shift aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through improved .ng domain management, internet governance, and innovation.
NiRA is the organization responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), “.ng”—a key driver of the nation’s digital identity.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Internet Infrastructure
As a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, NiRA plays a vital role in the security, reliability, and sustainability of Nigeria’s internet infrastructure. Its mission focuses on enhancing digital identity, accessibility, and internet governance across Nigeria and the wider African continent.
According to Adesanya, Onasanya’s appointment marks a strategic milestone for the association, given her robust background in business operations, strategic management, stakeholder engagement, and corporate transformation.
“Her strong leadership and deep understanding of the Domain Name System (DNS) ecosystem and internet governance will be instrumental in advancing NiRA’s position in this critical digital space,” Adesanya said. “We are confident that her expertise will significantly contribute to our ongoing growth, while strengthening our role as a digital enabler in Nigeria.”
A Proven Leader in Digital Strategy
Onasanya’s career spans Africa and Asia, where she has led large-scale transformation projects and advised various institutions on digital capability development, organizational governance, and future-focused innovation.
She is widely recognized for her expertise in HR transformation, corporate governance, and leadership coaching, making her an ideal fit for NiRA’s evolving strategic direction.
Brief Profile
Prior to joining NiRA, Onasanya held several high-impact roles, including:
- Director at SNEVA Global Associates, a business advisory and corporate development firm.
- Director and Head of Business Advisory at the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC).
- Organisational Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Her impressive track record reflects a deep commitment to building institutional capacity, empowering teams, and delivering systemic change across sectors.
A New Era for the .ng Domain
Onasanya assumes leadership at a pivotal time as NiRA ramps up efforts to expand the adoption of the .ng domain—a cornerstone of Nigeria’s national digital identity strategy.
The .ng domain is not only a digital anchor for Nigerian businesses and citizens but also a tool for promoting digital sovereignty, local innovation, and economic inclusion.
She succeeds Mrs. Eyitayo Iyortim, the immediate past COO, who was recently elected Chairperson and President of the African Top-Level Domains (AfTLD)—a continental body that oversees ccTLD registries across Africa. Iyortim’s elevation reflects NiRA’s growing influence in global internet governance.
Driving Digital Transformation Forward
As NiRA’s new COO, Onasanya is expected to lead key initiatives in:
- Driving digital transformation
- Improving .ng domain adoption
- Strengthening stakeholder engagement
- Enhancing Nigeria’s influence in Africa’s internet infrastructure landscape
Her appointment is seen as a bold step toward sustaining NiRA’s momentum and achieving its long-term goals in the ever-evolving digital economy.