Nigeria Emerges as a Global Leader in AI Adoption — Google Report
A recent report by Google and Ipsos, titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, reveals that 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot. This figure represents an 18-point increase from 2024 and places Nigeria significantly ahead of the global average of 62%, highlighting the country’s rapid integration of artificial intelligence into daily life.
The study underscores how Nigerians are moving beyond experimentation to actively using AI tools for practical purposes in classrooms, workplaces, and small businesses, making the nation one of the fastest adopters of AI worldwide.
AI Adoption Driven by Learning, Work, and Entrepreneurship
Nigerians are using AI deliberately to solve real problems, not just out of curiosity:
- Learning: 93% of Nigerians report using AI to understand complex topics, well above the global average of 74%. AI has become a core learning resource, helping students, professionals, and self-learners navigate complex subjects.
- Work: 91% of respondents use AI to support professional tasks, including drafting, research, planning, and problem-solving, turning AI into a productivity partner rather than a threat.
- Entrepreneurship: 80% of Nigerians leverage AI to explore new business ideas or career changes, nearly double the global figure of 42%. Accessible AI tools are enabling self-employment and side hustles, lowering barriers and costs for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Google Highlights Nigeria’s Creative AI Usage
Commenting on the report, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, said:
“It’s inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, growth, and economic empowerment.”
He added:
“This report doesn’t just show high adoption rates; it tells the story of a nation actively shaping its future with technology, using AI as a tool to accelerate progress and achieve its ambitions. We’re committed to ensuring AI remains a helpful and accessible tool for everyone.”
Nigerians Optimistic About AI
The report also highlights Nigeria’s strongly positive sentiment toward AI:
- 80% of Nigerians are excited about AI’s potential, compared with only 20% expressing concern.
- Among frequent AI users, excitement rises to 90%.
- 91% believe AI positively impacts learning, while 95% expect university students and educators to benefit from AI tools.
Nigeria’s young, digitally fluent population and history of rapid technology adoption help explain this optimism. AI tools fit naturally into existing digital habits, addressing immediate needs from exam prep to business planning.
Challenges Ahead: Digital Literacy and Data Privacy
While adoption is high, the report raises important considerations:
- Digital literacy: Users must understand AI’s limits and responsible usage.
- Data privacy: Rapid AI use increases the need for secure data practices.
- Misinformation: Awareness of AI-generated content is essential to prevent misuse.
Policymakers, educators, and tech companies will need to act quickly to support users as AI becomes a core part of learning, work, and entrepreneurship.
Nigeria’s Role in the Global AI Landscape
The report confirms that Nigeria is no longer a peripheral market for AI but a key player shaping adoption trends. With millions integrating AI into daily life, from education to business planning, the country is setting a model for practical and creative AI use in emerging markets.
