A new report from Google has identified Nigeria as one of the leading countries in global artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, highlighting a rapid increase in the use of AI tools across education, work, and entrepreneurship.
The study, developed in partnership with Ipsos and titled “Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People,” was released on Tuesday and reveals strong optimism among Nigerians about the technology’s potential.
According to the report, 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, representing an 18 percentage point increase from 2024. This rate far exceeds the global average of 62%, positioning Nigeria among the highest AI adopters worldwide.
The findings show that AI has become a vital resource for learning in Nigeria, with 93% of users relying on AI to understand complex topics, compared to the global average of 74%.
In professional settings, 91% of Nigerians said they use AI tools to support their work, indicating increasing integration of AI in offices, businesses, and startups.
The report also highlights the strong connection between AI and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. 80% of Nigerians use AI to explore new business ideas or consider career changes, nearly double the global average of 42%.
This suggests that AI is increasingly viewed as a tool for economic empowerment and innovation, particularly in a digital-first economy.
Speaking on the findings, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, described the results as a reflection of Nigerians’ creativity and ambition.
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“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.
“This report doesn’t just show high adoption rates; it tells the story of a nation that is actively shaping its future with technology.”
The report also shows that Nigerians are optimistic about AI’s impact on education. 91% believe AI positively influences learning and access to information, compared to the global average of 65%. Additionally, 95% of respondents said university students and educators are likely to benefit from AI tools.
Overall, 80% of Nigerians expressed excitement about AI, while only 20% expressed concern. Among frequent AI users, enthusiasm rises to 90%, indicating strong confidence in the technology’s future.
Despite Nigeria’s strong adoption rate, the country faces significant infrastructure and funding challenges that could limit its ability to become a global AI powerhouse.
The State of AI Policy in Africa 2025 report notes that Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) lacks dedicated funding, which could hinder long-term development.
Additionally, although there has been growth in data centre investments in recent years, Nigeria currently does not have an AI-ready data centre.
Engr. Ike Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, explained that while local data centres support cloud services, none are equipped for full-scale AI infrastructure, highlighting a major gap in the country’s AI readiness.
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 and the strong optimism surrounding their use.
The findings released on Tuesday suggest that AI is increasingly viewed as an enabler of innovation and self-employment, particularly in a digital-first economy.
The report shows that AI has become a major resource for learning in Nigeria. About 93% of Nigerian users said they rely on AI to understand complex topics, compared with a global average of 74%.
Commenting on the report, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said the findings reflect how Nigerians are creatively applying AI to unlock opportunities in education, professional development, and economic activity.
“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.
“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,” Kola-Ogunlade added.