Nigerians Leading Global AI Adoption as 88% Use Chatbots, Google Survey Shows

Nigeria has emerged as a global leader in artificial intelligence adoption, with Nigerians using AI tools for learning and business development at rates far exceeding international averages, according to a new report by Google and Ipsos.

The study, titled “Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the hands of more people,” found that 88 per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, representing an 18-percentage point increase from 2024 and significantly outpacing the global average of 62 per cent.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa, said the findings demonstrate how Nigerians are harnessing technology to drive progress.

“It’s inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, growth, and economic empowerment,” Kola-Ogunlade stated.

“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.”

The research revealed that Nigerians are primarily deploying AI for educational and professional advancement.

Data shows that some 93 per cent of Nigerian respondents use AI to learn or understand complex topics, compared to 74 per cent globally, whilst 91 per cent employ the technology to assist with work tasks.

Entrepreneurship appears to be a particularly strong driver of AI adoption in Nigeria, with 80 per cent of respondents using the technology to explore new business ventures or career changes. This figure is nearly double the global average of 42 per cent.

Nigerian attitudes towards AI in education were overwhelmingly positive as the survey found that 91 per cent believe AI is having a beneficial impact on how people learn and access information, compared to approximately 65 per cent globally.

Additionally, 95 per cent of Nigerian respondents believe university students and educators are likely to benefit from AI tools.

The optimism extends to broader views about the technology’s future impact when 80 per cent of Nigerians expressed excitement about AI’s possibilities, whilst only 20 per cent voiced concerns.

This stands in sharp contrast to the global sentiment, where the split was much narrower at 53 per cent excited versus 46 per cent concerned.

Among Nigerians who reported using AI extensively in their daily lives, the optimism level rose to 90 per cent.

Google said it remains committed to ensuring AI tools remain helpful and accessible to users across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Google and released on January 20, 2026.