Nigeria has recorded the highest rate of weekly artificial intelligence usage among 44 countries surveyed, with 91 per cent of respondents saying they interact with AI tools at least once a week, according to a new report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The finding places Nigeria significantly ahead of the global average of 64 per cent and highlights the country’s rapidly growing engagement with artificial intelligence for personal, professional and other everyday activities.
The findings are contained in the BCG Digital Government Citizen Survey, which examined citizens’ experiences and expectations around digital government services and the adoption of emerging technologies.
Beyond the high frequency of AI use, the report also found that Nigerians demonstrate relatively high levels of confidence in their ability to use the technology. About 80 per cent of Nigerian respondents described themselves as proficient in AI, compared with a global average of 63 per cent.
The results indicate that AI adoption in Nigeria is moving rapidly, with a large proportion of citizens already incorporating AI tools into their activities.
Olayinka Majekodunmi, Managing Director and Partner at BCG Lagos, said the figures demonstrate the exceptional level of AI engagement among Nigerians.
The strong adoption rate, however, comes alongside concerns about the potential consequences of wider AI deployment. According to the report, 61 per cent of Nigerian respondents said the benefits of AI outweigh its risks, suggesting that a majority remain positive about the technology despite concerns surrounding its impact.
One of the most significant concerns identified by respondents relates to employment.
The report found that 46 per cent of Nigerians identified job losses as their primary concern about the use of AI by government. This was followed by concerns about individual capability at 33 per cent and the accuracy of AI-generated decisions at 32 per cent.
The findings highlight a tension within Nigeria’s growing AI ecosystem. While citizens are adopting the technology at a rate higher than any other market covered by the survey, many are also concerned about how automation could affect employment opportunities.
Majekodunmi said Nigerians were embracing AI faster than almost any other market surveyed but wanted reassurance that technological progress would create opportunities rather than simply cause disruption.
The report also examined Nigerians’ satisfaction with government digital services and found that satisfaction had declined by five percentage points between 2024 and 2026, reaching 64 per cent.
Despite the decline, the figure remained slightly above the global average of 63 per cent. BCG attributed the change partly to rising expectations among citizens rather than declining interest in digital government services.
As more Nigerians become accustomed to digital technologies, citizens are increasingly expecting government platforms and services to offer better experiences, faster processes and more effective solutions.
The survey found strong support for the use of AI in public services, particularly for routine tasks, personalised interactions and services delivered through government institutions.
However, respondents also expressed the need for safeguards to ensure that AI is deployed responsibly in government decision-making.
About 39 per cent of Nigerian respondents favoured public performance reporting as a mechanism for monitoring how AI is used in decision-making. Independent audits and human review mechanisms also received significant support.
The findings suggest that Nigerians are not necessarily opposed to the expansion of AI in public services but want greater accountability and oversight as government institutions adopt the technology.
This is particularly relevant as governments around the world explore ways to use AI to improve service delivery, automate administrative processes and make public institutions more responsive.
For Nigeria, the high level of AI adoption could provide a foundation for broader digital transformation if the technology is accompanied by appropriate infrastructure, skills development and safeguards.
The country’s large and youthful population, combined with increasing access to digital tools, has positioned Nigeria as an important market for emerging technologies. A separate Google-Ipsos study has also described Nigeria as one of the world’s enthusiastic and innovative adopters of AI, particularly in areas such as learning and entrepreneurship.
The BCG findings further reinforce the growing role of AI in the country’s digital economy while highlighting the need to address concerns around employment, accountability and trust.
The employment question is particularly important because the rapid adoption of AI could change the nature of work across multiple industries. While AI can improve productivity and create new opportunities, businesses and government institutions may also automate tasks that were previously performed by people.
For policymakers, the challenge will therefore be to ensure that AI adoption contributes to economic growth while preparing workers for changes in the labour market.
Skills development, digital literacy and opportunities for workers to transition into emerging roles could become increasingly important as AI tools become more widespread.
The survey also indicates that public trust will play a critical role in determining how successfully AI can be deployed in government.
Citizens’ willingness to use AI-powered services may depend not only on how effective those services are but also on whether people believe decisions made with the technology are transparent, accurate and subject to appropriate human oversight.
Nigeria’s position at the top of the global weekly AI usage ranking therefore presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. The country’s citizens are demonstrating strong willingness to engage with AI, but policymakers and institutions will need to ensure that this enthusiasm translates into meaningful economic and social benefits.
With 91 per cent of surveyed Nigerians reporting weekly AI use, the country has emerged as a significant market for artificial intelligence adoption. The next challenge will be turning that high level of usage into stronger productivity, better public services, new economic opportunities and sustainable digital development while addressing the risks that accompany the technology.