The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the organization responsible for managing Nigeria�s country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), �.ng�, has announced the appointment of Seyi Onasanya as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointment became effective on April 1, 2025. �
The announcement was made in a statement released by NiRA President Mr. Akinsola Adesanya, highlighting the organization’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria�s digital ecosystem through improved domain management, governance, and innovation.
NiRA operates as a not-for-profit, non-governmental entity with a central mission to ensure the security, stability, and reliability of Nigeria�s internet infrastructure. The association plays a crucial role in promoting digital identity and accessibility across Nigeria and the wider African continent. �
According to Mr. Adesanya, Seyi Onasanya’s appointment marks a significant strategic milestone for NiRA. He emphasized her extensive experience in various fields, including business operations, strategy, management consulting, stakeholder engagement, and corporate transformation. Adesanya expressed confidence in Onasanya’s ability to deliver tangible results across both the private and public sectors. �
�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 stated. �We are confident that her expertise will significantly contribute to our ongoing growth, while strengthening our role as a digital enabler in Nigeria.�
Seyi Onasanya brings a wealth of experience to her new role, with a career spanning across Africa and Asia. She has a proven track record of leading large-scale transformation projects and has provided strategic advice to various institutions on digital capability development, governance, and future-focused innovation. Onasanya is a recognized expert in organizational strategy, HR transformation, leadership coaching, and corporate governance. �
Prior to joining NiRA, Onasanya held the position of Director at SNEVA Global Associates, a business advisory and corporate development firm. She also served as Director and Head of Business Advisory at the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), and held a senior management role at the global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Her professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to building institutional capacity, empowering teams, and implementing systemic change. �
Onasanya succeeds Mrs. Eyitayo Iyortim, the immediate past COO, who was recently elected as Chairperson and President of the African Top-Level Domains (AfTLD), a continental body overseeing ccTLD registries across Africa. Mrs. Iyortim�s elevation is seen as a testament to NiRA�s growing influence on the global stage and underscores the organization�s dedication to leadership development and strategic vision. �
In her new role as COO, Seyi Onasanya is expected to spearhead efforts to drive digital transformation, increase the adoption of the .ng domain name, strengthen engagement with stakeholders, and further position NiRA as a key player in Africa�s internet governance and digital infrastructure landscape. Her leadership is considered vital for sustaining NiRA�s current momentum and achieving its long-term strategic objectives.
