Request .gov.ng contact or nameserver changes with an authorisation letter

Find the original registration reference and handling registrar or agency. NITDA's published procedure states that domains created directly through NITDA are updated through its route. Do not send contradictory instructions to several providers. Tell us the current domain and existing handling details so we can guide the supported process.

List each field, its current value, its requested value and the reason. For a staff handover, keep a current authorised institutional officer involved. For a nameserver change, prepare the destination DNS zone before requesting the delegation change. Include website, email and verification records that must continue working.

The letter should have genuine institutional authorisation. The published procedure uses the head of the institution/MDA or the next officer in hierarchy, with administrative and technical contacts available for verification.

This is our sample wording, not an official agency form. Select the recipient for your actual route, complete the fields and print it on the institution/MDA's official letterhead. Delete the unused recipient instruction before signing.

[PRINT ON THE GOVERNMENT ENTITY'S GENUINE OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD]
[Institution/MDA name, official address and existing contact details]
Date: [day month year]
Our reference: [reference]

[For the registrar route: The Chief Operating Officer, NiRA]
[For a direct NITDA-managed application: The Director General, NITDA]
[Confirm the correct recipient and delivery details with the handling team]

Dear Sir/Madam,

AUTHORISATION TO UPDATE [existing government domain]

[Institution/MDA] requests the following changes to its domain record.
This request concerns the existing domain [exact domain], not a new
registration. Our previous application/reference is [reference, if known].

CHANGE REQUESTED
Field: [administrative contact / technical contact / nameservers]
Current value: [current approved value]
Requested value: [complete replacement value]
Reason: [brief factual reason]
[Repeat for each authorised change]

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT (INSTITUTION/MDA STAFF MEMBER)
Full name: [name]
Designation: [position]
Reachable telephone: [number]
Existing reachable email: [email]

TECHNICAL CONTACT
Full name: [name]
Designation/organisation: [details]
Relationship to institution/MDA: [details]
Reachable telephone: [number]
Existing reachable email: [email]

NAMESERVERS TO REMAIN OR BECOME ACTIVE
Nameserver 1: [hostname]
Nameserver 2: [hostname]

Please verify this authorisation and advise on the approved update.
Other domain details should remain unchanged unless stated above.

Yours faithfully,
[Actual signature of head of institution/MDA or next officer in hierarchy]
[Full name and official designation]
[Direct official contact details]
[Official stamp, where applicable]

1. Send the signed request through the instructions in your support case or the agency route already managing the domain.
2. Keep the current and incoming officers available for any authority checks.
3. Wait for confirmation that the approved update has been effected rather than assuming an email acknowledgement means the records changed.
4. Verify the updated contacts or delegation and test the website and email separately.
5. Retire obsolete access only after the authorised handover and service tests are complete.

Can a consultant sign instead of the government officer?

Do not assume a technical role gives the consultant the required institutional signing authority. Follow the signatory requirements for the handling route and keep the institutional administrative contact correctly identified.

Will changing nameservers move the website files?

No. Delegation directs DNS responsibility; it does not copy website files, databases or mailboxes. Use our institutional launch checklist and an appropriate migration plan before the change.

• Register a .gov.ng domain with us: approval steps and letter template
• Prepare and send us a complete institutional .ng application pack
• Change nameservers for a domain registered with us
• Enabling Cloudflare DNSSEC with the correct registrar DS record
• Launch your institution’s website and email after domain approval

• NITDA: updating registration information
• NiRA: updating government-domain information