Nigeria Leads Global AI Adoption Across Learning, Work, and Entrepreneurship — Google Report
A new report by Google has revealed that Nigeria is emerging as one of the world’s leading adopters of artificial intelligence, with particularly strong uptake across education, the workplace, and entrepreneurship.
The report, developed in partnership with Ipsos and titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, highlights how rapidly AI tools are being embraced by Nigerians, alongside widespread optimism about their impact on the country’s future.
The findings were released on Tuesday.
AI Usage in Nigeria Surges Beyond Global Average
According to the report, 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, representing an 18 percentage point increase from 2024.
This level of adoption is significantly higher than the global average of 62%, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of AI usage worldwide and reflecting the country’s growing digital-first economy.
The report notes that AI is increasingly seen as a tool for innovation, self-employment, and economic mobility, particularly among young and tech-savvy populations.
AI Becomes a Key Learning Tool
AI has rapidly become a major learning resource in Nigeria. The report found that 93% of Nigerian AI users rely on the technology to understand complex topics, compared with a global average of 74%.
This strong reliance highlights AI’s role in expanding access to knowledge, supporting self-directed learning, and helping users overcome educational barriers.
Optimism about AI’s impact on education is also notably high. About 91% of Nigerians believe AI positively affects learning and access to information, far above the global average of 65%.
In addition, 95% of respondents said university students and educators are likely to benefit from AI tools, underscoring confidence in the technology’s role in higher education.
Growing Integration of AI in the Workplace
The report shows that AI is becoming deeply embedded in Nigeria’s professional environment. About 91% of Nigerians said they use AI tools to assist with their work, reflecting growing integration of the technology across business, corporate, and freelance settings.
AI tools are increasingly being used to improve productivity, streamline tasks, and support decision-making across a wide range of industries.
AI Fuels Entrepreneurship and Career Exploration
AI adoption in Nigeria is also strongly linked to entrepreneurship and career development. According to the report, 80% of Nigerians use AI tools to explore new business ideas or consider career changes.
This figure is nearly double the global average of 42%, highlighting how Nigerians are leveraging AI as a driver of innovation, self-employment, and economic opportunity.
Google Highlights Nigeria’s Creative Use of AI
Commenting on the findings, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, said the report reflects how Nigerians are creatively applying AI to unlock opportunities.
“It’s inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, growth, and economic empowerment,” he said.
He added that the report goes beyond usage statistics to reflect a broader national mindset:
“This report doesn’t just show high adoption rates; it tells the story of a nation that is actively shaping its future with technology, using AI as a tool to accelerate progress and achieve its ambitions.”
Strong Optimism About AI’s Future in Nigeria
Overall sentiment towards AI in Nigeria remains largely positive. The report found that 80% of Nigerians expressed excitement about the possibilities of artificial intelligence, compared with just 20% who expressed concern.
Among frequent AI users, enthusiasm is even stronger, rising to 90%, reinforcing Nigeria’s confidence in the long-term potential of the technology.
The findings position Nigeria as a global case study for how emerging markets can rapidly adopt and adapt AI tools to drive learning, work, and economic growth.
