So, you’ve taken the bold and brilliant step of buying a .ng domain—awesome move! Owning a Nigerian domain name instantly gives your brand credibility, local trust, and a professional edge. But to make your domain truly functional, like connecting it to your hosting service or third-party DNS provider, you’ll often need to change your name servers.
Now, we get it—”name servers” might sound super technical. But trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds. This guide is created for real Nigerian business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone new to web hosting. We’ll walk you through what name servers are, why they matter, and how to change them for your .ng domain in easy, layman’s language—no tech jargon, no stress.
Let’s break it all down like we’re having a one-on-one chat. Ready? Let’s go!
What Are Name Servers, and Why Are They Important?
Before we talk about how to change name servers, let’s first understand what they are. In simple terms, name servers are like traffic guides for your domain. They tell the internet where to find your website and where to manage your DNS settings.
Here’s an analogy:
Think of your .ng domain as your street address. Now imagine you’re moving into a new office. You need to tell your couriers (in this case, the internet) where to deliver things. That’s what name servers do—they direct web traffic to the right “house” (hosting server).
If your name servers are not correctly set:
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Your website won’t show up
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Your emails won’t be delivered
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Your domain might look inactive
- Any connected services (e.g., Google Workspace, Cloudflare) may not function properly.
Therefore, changing name servers is like updating your address so the internet knows exactly where to deliver your website and email services. It’s a must-do if you want your domain to work seamlessly.
So, yes—it’s a big deal, but thankfully, it’s also very easy to fix once you know what to do.
When Should You Change Name Servers?
There are several situations where changing your domain’s name servers becomes necessary:
1. Moving to a New Hosting Provider: If you just purchased a hosting plan from a company different from where you registered your domain (e.g., you bought your domain from telaHosting but hosting from Bluehost), you’ll need to point your domain to the new host’s name servers.
2. Using a Cloud-Based DNS Manager: Services like Cloudflare offer free security, CDN, and DNS management tools. To use these features, you must change your name servers to the ones provided by Cloudflare.
3. Migrating Your Website: If you’re transferring your website to a faster or more reliable host like telaHosting, you must update your name servers to reflect your new host’s DNS information.
4. You Want More Control: Some registrars limit your DNS capabilities. If you want full control—custom records, better speed, or added security—changing to external name servers might be your best option.
If any of these sound like your situation, you’re absolutely in the right place.
What Do Name Servers Look Like?
Name servers usually come in pairs (and sometimes more). They typically follow this format:
- ns1.hostingcompany.com
- ns2.hostingcompany.com
Here are a few real examples:
Cloudflare:
- fred.ns.cloudflare.com
- dina.ns.cloudflare.com
Your hosting provider will give you these once your hosting account is active. If you signed up with a Nigerian hosting provider like us at telaHosting, you should find it in your welcome email or dashboard.
Benefits of Changing Your Name Servers
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Faster Website Speed: Especially if using local Nigerian hosting or global CDN services like Cloudflare.
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Increased Security: External DNS providers can block DDoS attacks and phishing attempts.
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More Flexibility: Set up email, subdomains, and third-party integrations without limits.
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Improved Uptime: Reliable DNS providers offer redundancy and better global connectivity.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Name Servers for Your .NG Domain
Ready to make the switch? Here’s a super-friendly walkthrough of how to change your name servers. We’ll assume you bought your .ng domain from us at telaHosting. Here’s how you do it—step by step.
Step 1: Log in to Your Account
Visit the website of the company where you registered your domain (e.g., telaHosting, WhoGoHost, DomainKing,). Enter your login details to access your account.
Tip: If you’ve forgotten your password, use the “forgot password” feature to reset it.
Step 2: Locate Your Domain Management Section
Once you’re logged in:
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Navigate to “My Domains,” “Manage Domains,” or something similar.
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Click on the .ng domain you want to change (e.g., mybrand.ng).
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Look for a section titled “Nameservers” or “DNS Settings.”
Step 3: Replace the Existing Name Servers
You will see the current name servers listed
Example:
- ns1.registrar.com
- ns2.registrar.com
Delete these and replace them with the one from your web host or DNS provider.
For example:
- ns1.tela-hosting.com
- ns2.tela-host.com.com
Or for Cloudflare:
- dina.ns.cloudflare.com
- fred.ns.cloudflare.com
Pro Tip: Always enter them exactly as given—spelling or case errors can cause downtime.
Step 4: Save Your Changes
After entering the new name servers, scroll down and click “Save,” “Update,” or “Apply Changes.” Your domain is now set to work with your new host or DNS manager.
Your changes should be saved almost immediately, but they won’t take effect instantly.
Step 5: Wait for DNS Propagation
Once saved, it takes time for the changes to reflect globally. This process is called DNS propagation.
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Most changes take effect within 30 minutes to 6 hours
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Some may take up to 24–48 hours (rare, but possible)
During this time, your website may load inconsistently, and your email might pause briefly. This is normal. Be patient—it will stabilize.
How to Verify If Name Servers Have Been Updated
You can confirm your changes using free online tools like
Enter your domain and check the “Name Servers” section. If you see your new host’s name servers listed, the update was successful.
Common Issues and Easy Fixes
1. Website Not Loading After Update: Give it time. DNS propagation might still be in progress. Check again after a few hours.
2. Email Not Working: If you changed hosts, make sure your MX records are properly set under the new DNS settings.
3. Entered the Wrong Name Servers: No worries. Just log in again, correct the entries, and save. Your domain will start following the corrected path once propagation restarts.
4. You Don’t Know Your New Name Servers: Contact your web host. Most will send this info in your welcome email or display it in your account dashboard.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! You’ve just taken a major step toward professionalizing your online presence. Changing name servers may sound technical at first, but now you know it’s actually a simple, powerful way to control your .ng domain.
Whether you’re hosting your website with a local Nigerian provider or a global platform, the name server update is the bridge between your domain and your content.
At telaHosting, we make domain and hosting management super easy, with friendly support, local expertise, and tools that put you in full control. Need help updating your name servers? Just reach out—we’re here to make it simple and stress-free.
Don’t leave your domain half-done; make it work for you.
FAQ
1. What are name servers, and why should I change them for my .ng domain?
Name servers are like online traffic controllers. They direct internet users to the right place—your website or email server—when they type in your domain. You should change your it if you’re hosting your website or managing DNS with a different provider than your domain registrar. It ensures that your domain knows exactly where your content lives.
2. How long does it take for name server changes to take effect?
Usually, the changes start reflecting within 30 minutes to 6 hours. However, it can take up to 24–48 hours for the changes to fully propagate across the internet, depending on your network and location. This is perfectly normal, so don’t panic if you don’t see immediate changes.
3. Where can I find the correct name servers for my hosting provider?
Your hosting provider will send you the correct one in your welcome email after you sign up. You can also find them in your hosting dashboard or contact their support team directly. Make sure you copy them exactly as shown to avoid any errors.
4. Will changing name servers affect my email or website?
Yes, but only temporarily. During DNS propagation, your website may be briefly unavailable, and your email may not work for a few hours. However, once the name servers update globally, everything will return to normal—usually with improved speed and performance.
5. Can I change name servers again in the future?
Absolutely! You can change it as many times as you need. For example, if you switch to a new host or decide to use a DNS manager like Cloudflare, you’ll need to update them. Just make sure you always use the correct information to avoid downtime.
