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By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria is fast positioning itself as a global pacesetter in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in education, work and entrepreneurship, according to a new report by Google in collaboration with Ipsos.
The study, titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, reveals that Nigerians are not only embracing AI technologies but are also using them more actively and optimistically than users in many other parts of the world.
Findings from the survey show that 88 per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, representing an 18-percentage-point increase from 2024. This places Nigeria significantly ahead of the global average of 62 per cent, underscoring the country’s rapid uptake of emerging technologies.
Commenting on the report, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa, said the data highlights how Nigerians are leveraging AI as a catalyst for growth and innovation.
“It is encouraging to see how Nigerians are applying AI creatively and purposefully to expand learning opportunities, drive entrepreneurship and support economic empowerment,” Kola-Ogunlade said. “Beyond high adoption, the findings reflect a society actively shaping its future with technology. At Google, we remain committed to making AI helpful, inclusive and accessible to all.”
The report showed that Nigerians are using AI extensively for learning and professional advancement, outpacing global trends.
An overwhelming 93 per cent of respondents in Nigeria reported using AI to learn or better understand complex topics, compared to a global average of 74 per cent. In the workplace, 91 per cent said they rely on AI tools to support their daily tasks.
Entrepreneurship also stands out as a key area of impact. About 80 per cent of Nigerians surveyed said they use AI to explore new business opportunities or consider career changes—nearly double the global average of 42 per cent.
The study further revealed widespread confidence in the role of AI in education across the country. About 91 per cent of Nigerians believe AI is having a positive impact on learning and access to information, compared with roughly 65 per cent globally.
Confidence is even stronger within higher education, with 95 per cent of respondents saying university students and educators are likely to benefit from AI-driven tools and applications.
Optimism About the AI Future
Nigerians also expressed significantly higher optimism about the future of AI than their global counterparts. The survey shows that 80 per cent of Nigerians are more excited than concerned about AI’s potential, compared with a much narrower global split of 53 per cent excited and 46 per cent concerned.
Among frequent AI users in Nigeria, optimism rises further, with up to 90 per cent expressing excitement about the technology’s possibilities.
The report suggested that Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial culture and growing digital literacy may be key factors driving the country’s leadership in AI adoption, positioning it as an influential voice in shaping how artificial intelligence is used for development and economic growth.
