.ng tld about to go live commercially

Last week I attended the 2nd Annual General meeting of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA). As some may be aware, they had called for applications to approve the first set (pioneer) of .ng Registrars. Among other things, it came to light that 35 companies have now been granted provisional accreditation.

What this means is that come September 1, 2008, registration of the .ng domain (like internet.com.ng) will have to pass through an accredited registrar (paying money of course). As at yesterday the 35 companies have been informed but the letter given to them prohibits them from advertising themselves FOR NOW as Registrars until the confirmation of the accreditation in a week’s time.

One of my business concerns applied for and received the provisional accreditation… so I might be speaking about it later.