Reservation and availability
DotNaija may reserve or block labels to protect registry operations, public interests, rights, and namespace integrity. A reserved label is not available through ordinary registration unless an authorised release process applies.
This document identifies reservation categories and representative examples. It is not a complete downloadable inventory or a guarantee that an unlisted label is available. A registry check and eligibility review determine the outcome.
Reservation categories
| Category | Representative labels or patterns | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Registry operations | whois, rdap, registry, registrar, nic | Avoid confusion with registry services. |
| Network administration | dns, ns, hostmaster, postmaster | Protect technical and operational identifiers. |
| Security and reporting | abuse, security, cert | Reduce deceptive claims of official reporting authority. |
| Public authority | Names suggesting a government body or regulated office | Require a legitimate authority and prevent impersonation. |
| Rights and dispute | A label covered by a verified restriction or order | Preserve rights or a dispute’s subject matter. |
| Syntax and safety | Invalid strings or labels with a significant security risk | Protect interoperable and trustworthy operation. |
A category may apply differently across namespaces. The presence of an existing registration does not imply the same label is available elsewhere or approved for every use.
Public-interest and sensitive names
Government, regulatory, emergency-service, institutional, or geographic names may require additional review and evidence of authority. A general-purpose registration may not be used to mislead users into believing it is an official service.
An applicant must disclose the intended use and connection to the name. Registry approval does not confer statutory authority, accreditation, or a trademark.
Premium and reserved classifications
A premium name carries a commercial allocation condition; a reserved name is withheld or subject to controlled release. The classifications can overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
See the Premium Domain Policy. Paying a premium quote cannot override a court order, technical prohibition, or unmet eligibility requirement.
Requesting review or release
Ask your registrar or the compliance desk to review a label. Supply the exact name, applicant identity, intended use, authority evidence, and why release would not create the risk behind the reservation.
The registry may refuse, request conditions, or authorise a limited release. An application, quote, or review acknowledgement does not reserve a place in a queue or guarantee allocation. Any time limit and release conditions must be communicated expressly.
Existing registrations and changes
New reservations normally govern future allocation. Action against an existing registration requires a basis under the registration agreement, AUP, or applicable law; reservation alone is not an arbitrary cancellation process.
Names released after expiry or cancellation may be reviewed before becoming available. Decisions can be challenged under the Dispute Resolution Policy. Operational block lists may remain confidential where disclosure would weaken security.