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By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria’s corporate sector is rapidly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), with a new report showing that 74.1 per cent of digitally enabled firms in Lagos, Abuja and Rivers are already deploying AI tools to automate operations, improve productivity and support business growth.
The report, titled AI Adoption in Nigeria and released by Wow Effect Communications, revealed that AI usage is moving beyond experimentation into mainstream operational deployment across businesses, workplaces and educational institutions.
According to the findings, Nigerian firms are increasingly adopting AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude for research, writing, planning, workflow support, customer engagement and productivity enhancement.
The report identified Lagos, Abuja and Rivers as Nigeria’s leading AI adoption hubs due to stronger internet penetration, better digital infrastructure and high concentration of corporate activities.
The study further revealed that 88 per cent of Nigerian respondents surveyed said they had used an AI tool within the last 12 months, while 84 per cent confirmed using generative AI platforms.
It added that 93 per cent of respondents use AI to learn or understand complex subjects, 91 per cent apply it for work-related support, while 80 per cent use AI for business or career development.
Chief Strategy Officer of Wow Effect Communications, Williams Popoola, said AI is already becoming deeply integrated into the daily lives of many Nigerians with internet access.
“AI is no longer a distant concept for many Nigerians. It is already being used to learn, work, solve problems and explore economic opportunity,” he said.
Popoola, however, warned that unequal access to technology and digital literacy could widen social and economic inequality if urgent action is not taken.
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“To truly harness the power of AI for national development, we must prioritize bridging the existing digital gaps. Ensuring equitable access to technology and fostering digital literacy across all demographics will be crucial in preventing AI from exacerbating existing inequalities and instead making it a tool for widespread empowerment,” he stated.
Despite the growing momentum, the report warned that AI adoption in Nigeria remains uneven and heavily concentrated among populations with reliable internet access, digital skills and stronger economic capacity.
With Nigeria estimated to have about 107 million internet users in early 2025, the report noted that access to digital services is still shaped by geography, affordability, education levels and connectivity infrastructure.
It further warned that the rapid rise of AI could deepen existing inequalities if rural communities and underserved populations remain excluded from digital access and skills development.
According to the report, AI adoption is now extending beyond the technology sector into education, employment, entrepreneurship, public policy and small business development.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses are increasingly adopting AI for market research, planning, writing and customer interaction as competition intensifies within Nigeria’s digital economy.
The study urged policymakers and regulators to focus on infrastructure development, affordability, trust, digital literacy and responsible innovation to ensure the benefits of AI are broadly shared.
It also commended the Federal Government’s National AI Strategy, describing it as a major step toward building a more structured and responsible AI ecosystem in Nigeria.
The report further noted that the long-term impact of AI in Nigeria will depend largely on how the government, businesses and stakeholders respond to existing gaps in connectivity, access and digital education.
