Nigerian businesses are rapidly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), with a significant increase in AI adoption seen in the country. According to a recent survey by Google and Ipsos, 88% of Nigerian adults used an AI chatbot in 2025, a notable jump from the previous year and higher than the global average of 62%. The country's AI market is projected to grow from $1.40 billion in 2025 to $4.64 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 27.08%. This growth indicates that the experimentation phase of AI adoption is well underway, but experts warn that most Nigerian companies have yet to fully integrate AI into their operations.
While many businesses have adopted AI in a consultative mode, creating incremental value but not transforming how work gets done, the real productivity opportunity lies in agentic AI - systems that can plan, act, and execute multi-step tasks autonomously without waiting to be prompted at every stage. According to a 2025 report from MIT Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group, 35% of organisations surveyed had already adopted AI agents, with a further 44% planning to deploy the technology imminently. Similarly, Gartner predicts that 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through agentic AI by 2028, up from effectively zero in 2024.
Nigerian businesses are already moving aggressively in this direction, with 93% of Nigerian organisations having begun adopting AI, according to a 2025 Zoho Nigeria survey. However, many businesses face structural challenges, such as the accumulation of disconnected tools and the need to consolidate around integrated platforms that unify data and processes.
The adoption of AI by Nigerian businesses is a significant step forward, but it requires a strategic approach to fully realise its potential. To achieve operational advantage, businesses must move beyond pilot projects and rebuild their operations around AI in ways that reflect the specific realities of doing business in Nigeria. This involves prioritising technology built for local realities, such as reliable broadband and stable electricity supply, and consolidating around integrated platforms that unify data and processes.
