IXPN Deploys Critical Internet Infrastructure to Accelerate Web Access in Nigeria
Local DNS Infrastructure Upgrade by IXPN Enhances Internet Access for Nigerians
The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has deployed new critical internet infrastructure designed to enhance web access speeds and strengthen digital resilience in Nigeria, the organisation announced at its 2026 Annual Members Engagement Forum in Lagos. The initiative centres on local internet traffic handling and Domain Name System (DNS) upgrades that will reduce latency and reliance on overseas servers.
Strategic Infrastructure Enhancements
At the forum, IXPN Chief Executive Officer Muhammed Rudman detailed the deployment of advanced systems that allow internet service providers (ISPs) and networks within Nigeria to resolve web addresses locally rather than routing requests overseas. This localisation strategy improves website response times and reliability by shortening the distance data must travel.
A key component of the upgrade is the installation of an authoritative DNS server supplied through a collaboration with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). This server now manages nearly 1,000 DNS requests per second, supporting numerous global domain names and substantially enhancing local internet performance for users and networks.
Reducing Reliance on Overseas Infrastructure
Traditionally, many DNS lookups and internet traffic routes for Nigerian users relied on servers based outside the country, contributing to increased latency and potential points of failure. IXPN’s local DNS infrastructure positions Nigeria to handle core aspects of internet traffic domestically, reducing upstream dependence and cutting latency for services such as websites and email.
Rudman noted that local hosting of key internet resolution services not only speeds access but also improves the country’s resilience against global outages and cyber disruptions that might occur beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Partnerships and Regional Positioning
In addition to the CIRA collaboration, IXPN has signed a memorandum of understanding with Verisign to serve as a regional internet resolution site. This agreement would enable IXPN to host primary DNS infrastructure for major global domains such as .com and .net within Nigeria, further reinforcing the country’s internet backbone and digital capability.
By embedding such critical infrastructure domestically, Nigeria stands to benefit from faster internet access, improved service stability, and strengthened protections against attacks targeting essential online systems.
Context: A Growing Digital Ecosystem
IXPN’s efforts unfold against a broader national push to strengthen digital connectivity and inclusion. Recent data indicates that Nigeria’s broadband ecosystem continues to evolve, with active government and regulator interventions aimed at expanding infrastructure and diversifying internet service provision.
The deployment of locally hosted DNS infrastructure complements parallel industry developments, such as the licensing of new internet service providers and coordinated strategies to expand broadband access, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
IXPN’s deployment of enhanced internet infrastructure represents a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, with tangible benefits for internet speed, reliability, and resilience. By localising key DNS functions and reducing dependency on foreign servers, the initiative promises improved web access for users and businesses alike, contributing to the broader goal of strengthening Nigeria’s position as a digital hub in West Africa.
