I wonder if this is just defensive. Given Nigeria's reputation for Internet scams and bit.ly's problems with Libya, would Microsoft really want to build a URL shortener around this TLD?

The registrars rules said you had to pick a 3rd level domain (x.co.ng) - did they change this, or did Microsoft just get extra special treatment?

NIRA's Domain Name Policy states that 1 or 2 character domains would be offered through Auction!

Rules weren't changed & nobody got any special treatment.

Kindly read Section 4.5 of the Policy pasted below :

http://www.nira.org.ng/media/pdf/NIRA%20Domain%20Names%20Pol...

I'd be willing to guess that for the amount of money microsoft probably payed they got special treatment.

it changed recently. http://oonwoye.com/2010/12/30/first-ng-domain-name-registere...

Sweet, thanks!

Registration Url :

http://www.webdomains.com.ng/cpanel.php?page=sldwhois

I'm wondering why it doesn't point anywhere? Couldn't they point it to bing.com for the time being before they do something else (url shortener ? )

I thought two letters domains are not sold anymore? (i.e 'bi' is 2 letters) Or this is a restriction only for certain TLD like .com, .org?

I've been waiting for this for long, so which registry can we use to get .ng?

I tried hunting through the government website, and it lists a large number of registrars, but none of them seem to offer an easy way to sign up for one. Keep in mind the following things though:

(1) You need to have a business in Nigeria

(2) ccTLDs are subject to local laws, so be careful before basing your brand around a ccTLD name. Case in point: Bitly http://workbench.cadenhead.org/news/3503/bitly-builds-busine...

Very true, without the power of Microsoft it's hard to maintain that domain name... in such a remote place.. I mind as well just give up.

And likewise I searched the government website and none of its accredited registrars offer straight .ng registration

I saw another Nigerian company for which an "exception" had been made. Overall, I think it's risky business right now, especially if you manage to snag a desirable .ng domain. I don't mean this as offensive, but it's not unimaginable in Nigeria that a few greased palms could lead to an "exception" being made for re-assigning your DNS record if you don't have local interests there to back you up.

Official Registry Link for .ng ccTLD : http://www.nira.org.ng

You can use the one Microsoft did: http://www.webdomains.com.ng/

Unfortunately they don't offer .ng on their website, probably still a over-the-counter thing

Hi, I represent Websoft [www.websoft.com.ng], the Registrar for Microsoft's bi.ng. The Buy-Now process of 2nd level .ng domains is on & its not over-the-counter, here is it official link by the registry published in 2010

http://www.nira.org.ng/index.php/auction

So far, The domains listed below have been registered by Websoft:

1)3m.ng 2)leadership.ng 3)google.ng 4)gmail.ng 5)youtube.ng 6)honeywell.ng 7)googli.ng 8)bi.ng

35k domains registered?

They neglected to grab bu.ng while they were at it.