In towns and cities across Nigeria, people are waking up to a future once only imagined in science fiction: one where computers think, help and sometimes even comfort us. From students decoding complex lessons to workers automating routine tasks, artificial intelligence is no longer a distant promise — it is part of everyday life.
A recent global study by Google and Ipsos paints a striking picture of this transformation. In Nigeria, 88 per cent of adults say they have used an AI chatbot, far ahead of the global average of 62 per cent. For many, these tools are more than curiosities — they are practical helpers that support education, work and entrepreneurial ideas.
On a typical morning, a young professional might ask an AI app to explain a tricky concept, review a report draft, or brainstorm a business pitch. The Google-Ipsos study found that an astonishing 93 per cent of Nigerians use AI to understand complex topics, compared with around 74 per cent globally. And 91 per cent use it to assist with work tasks, reflecting how deeply the technology is now embedded in personal productivity and daily routines.
For Nigeria’s tech-savvy youth, AI is already a tool for opportunity. Many see it as a launchpad into new careers or small businesses, with 80 per cent using AI to explore new ideas or career changes — nearly double the global rate. That sense of possibility comes through clearly in the optimism expressed by most Nigerians: eight in ten say they are more excited than worried about AI’s impact.
But this rapid embrace of AI also carries deeper implications. Chatbots offering mental-health support, for example, are growing in popularity where traditional services are scarce. Some Nigerians report turning to these digital companions for advice or comfort in lonely moments — an indication of how AI is filling gaps in social and health-care systems. Yet experts caution that machines cannot replicate human empathy, and that data privacy and ethical safeguards remain weak in many places.
Experts around the world see both promise and peril in AI’s spread. A recent report by the Future of Life Institute warned that major technology firms are not yet prepared to manage the risks of more advanced AI systems — a reminder that the tools powering our daily lives could also present unforeseen challenges.
Back home in Nigeria, the story is one of adaptation and ingenuity. With one of the fastest rates of AI adoption globally, the country is not simply adopting technology — it is shaping how it is used in real lives. Whether helping someone learn a difficult subject, supporting a small business idea, or offering a late-night conversation, AI is fast becoming part of the rhythm of modern life.
As the sun sets on another busy day, it is clear that artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic abstraction. It is here — woven into how we learn, work and live. The challenge now is to make sure this powerful technology serves us well, with fairness, safety and humanity at its heart.
