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?

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

Sweet, thanks!

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.

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?

Registration Url :

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

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.