Nigeria Leads World in AI Learning Use, 26% Above Average

Nigerians are teaching the world how to learn in the age of artificial intelligence.

A new Google and Ipsos report surveying 21,000 people across 21 countries reveals that Nigeria leads the planet in AI adoption for education and business. An impressive 88% of Nigerian adults now use AI chatbots regularly, up 18% from last year.

The numbers tell a story of unprecedented embrace. While 74% of people globally use AI to learn new topics, 93% of Nigerians do. That's not just leading. That's transforming how an entire nation approaches knowledge.

The enthusiasm extends far beyond the classroom. Nearly 91% of Nigerians use AI to boost their work performance, and 80% are exploring new business ventures or career changes with AI's help. That's almost double the global average of 42%.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's Communications Manager for West Africa, sees something special happening. "It's inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, growth, and economic empowerment," she said.

The survey, conducted between September and October 2025, interviewed roughly 1,000 adults in each participating country. Nigeria's results stood out not just for adoption rates but for optimism.

A remarkable 80% of Nigerians feel more excited than concerned about AI's possibilities. Globally, that excitement drops to just 53%, with nearly half the world expressing worry instead.

Education drives much of this enthusiasm. Some 95% of Nigerians believe university students and educators will benefit from AI tools, and 91% already see positive impacts on how they access information.

The Ripple Effect

Nigeria's AI revolution isn't happening in isolation. It's creating waves across West Africa and beyond, proving that emerging markets can lead technological adoption rather than follow it.

The country's young population is driving the change. Gen Z Nigerians show 82% AI usage, with millennials close behind at 74%. These digital natives are using AI not as a novelty but as a necessary tool for competing globally.

Employment status matters too. Some 70% of employed Nigerians use AI regularly, compared to 48% of unemployed adults. Higher education correlates with 75% usage versus 57% among those with less formal schooling.

Men currently edge out women slightly in adoption, 64% to 61%, but both groups far exceed global averages. The gender gap is closing as AI tools become more accessible and culturally integrated.

This isn't just about technology for technology's sake. Nigerians are wielding AI as an equalizer, a way to access world class education and business insights that might otherwise remain out of reach.

The 18% year over year growth suggests this is just the beginning. As AI tools improve and internet access expands, Nigeria's already impressive lead could widen further, creating a generation of globally competitive learners and entrepreneurs powered by artificial intelligence.