Nigeria is emerging as one of the world’s most active users of artificial intelligence, according to a new Google-Ipsos study. The report reveals that 88% of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, placing the country far ahead of the global average of 62%.
Titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the Hands of More People, the study highlights how Nigerians are already integrating AI into education, work, and income-generating activities not as a future concept, but as a practical everyday tool.
The data positions Nigeria among the highest adopters of AI chat tools globally, with usage rising sharply over the past year. Google notes that chatbot adoption in Nigeria increased by 18 percentage points, a growth rate that outpaces most regions surveyed.
This level of engagement suggests that AI tools are no longer niche technologies in Nigeria. Instead, they are becoming mainstream digital utilities, used across age groups and professional backgrounds.
One of the strongest use cases identified in the report is learning.
According to the survey: 93% of Nigerians use AI to learn or understand complex topics, compared to a global average of 74%.
Students, professionals, and self-learners are increasingly turning to AI chatbots to:
- Break down difficult subjects
- Explain concepts in simpler terms
- Support exam preparation and research
- Learn new digital and professional skills
Beyond education, AI is playing a growing role in workplace productivity.
The report shows that: 91% of Nigerian respondents use AI to assist with work tasks
These tasks range from:
- Writing and editing content
- Research and information gathering
- Planning and organising projects
- Brainstorming ideas and presentations
Perhaps most notably, the report highlights AI’s role in entrepreneurship and side hustles, a critical part of Nigeria’s economy.
Google’s findings reveal that: 80% of Nigerians use AI to explore business ideas or career opportunities, nearly double the global average of 42%.
In a country where many people combine multiple income sources, AI is becoming a low-cost tool for experimentation and growth.