By Chinenye Anuforo
The Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, Kehinde Ogundare, has said that Nigerian businesses can significantly boost growth and efficiency by embracing Agentic AI, a form of artificial intelligence capable of autonomous task handling and decision-making.
Ogundare noted that while AI is transforming industries globally, its adoption in Nigeria remains relatively low due to businesses struggling to identify practical applications with clear returns on investment.
“Agentic AI, addresses this by enabling the creation of autonomous digital agents that can manage complex tasks, optimize workflows, and enhance decision-making, unlike traditional AI which primarily reacts to user input.”
He highlighted the global rise of AI adoption, citing a McKinsey & Company report indicating efficiency improvements of 20–30% for organisations that have successfully integrated AI-driven automation. He emphasized that Agentic AI’s strength lies in its specialized models tailored for specific business functions.
For instance, he pointed out that in customer service, AI-powered agents can automate repetitive tasks and provide instant, personalized support, crucial as nearly 88% of Nigerian consumers prioritize customer experience. “In sales, AI-driven Sales Development Representative (SDR) Agents can analyze interactions and suggest targeted strategies, leading to increased conversion rates”, he added.
Continuing, Ogundare noted the transformative impact of Agentic AI on Human Resources (HR) operations, citing Deloitte’s findings that AI-powered HR automation significantly reduces administrative workload. He also mentions its role in IT operations, where AI-powered Help Desk Agents can streamline troubleshooting and improve operational continuity.
He detailed Zoho’s innovations in this space, highlighting their development of Zia Agents for specific use cases within their products. He emphasizes that unlike generic AI models, Zia Agents offer contextual intelligence, real-time decision-making, and deep business-specific insights, all within a secure and privacy-compliant infrastructure.
Zoho has also launched Agent Studio, an AI-powered platform allowing customers, partners, and developers to create and monetize specialized agents for their unique needs, according to Ogundare. He suggests that Nigerian businesses can leverage Agent Studio to build hyperlocal agents for various industries.
Ogundare posited that the shift towards Agentic AI is inevitable for businesses seeking smarter, more autonomous systems for efficiency and growth.
He urged Nigerian businesses to leverage Zoho’s Zia agents to achieve higher productivity and ensure long-term success in a competitive marketplace.