AI Adoption In Nigeria: Opportunities And Threats, By Micheal Onoja Okpotu AI means Artificial Intelligence (AI) basically means getting computers to think and act like humans. It is a technology that can learn, reason, and make decisions. It also includes understanding what you mean when you talk, recognising faces or voices, writing music, designing logos, and creating art. AI therefore, refers to machines or software systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. At its core, AI is driven by data, algorithms, and computational power. Whether it’s a voice assistant understanding your speech or a banking app flagging fraud in real time, AI works by recognising patterns and adapting to information over time.
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It is no longer news that Nigerians have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) faster than expected. Its adoption is shaping the future landscape of various sectors, from healthcare, fraud detection, and agriculture to finance, education, and traffic management systems. For Nigerians for instance, it is not just about embracing cutting-edge technology but tailoring it to meet local needs, cultures, and challenges. Today, Nigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s leading hubs for artificial intelligence innovation. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria has witnessed significant growth in the adoption across various sectors. The AI ecosystem in Nigeria is characterised by a blend of startups, established tech companies, academic institutions, and government initiatives working to harness AI’s technologies for local challenges. Its landscape in Nigeria, has matured considerably over the past 18 months, with investments in startups increasing by 43% since early 2023,” as noted by Dr Oluwaseyi Akinbobola, Director of the Lagos Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institute. One would say that what makes the AI scene in Nigeria unique is its focus on developing solutions tailored to African problems rather than simply importing foreign models. The number of focused startups in Nigeria has grown from approximately 35 in 2022 to over 80 in early 2024, concentrated primarily in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. These startups have collectively raised over $120 million in funding during this period, signaling growing investor confidence in AI potential. Juliet Umeh in her report published in the Vanguard Newspaper in January 2025 stated that Nigeria’s online population is leading the global adoption of generative AI with 70 percent of respondents reporting usage, far exceeding the global average of 48 percent. This is according to a global survey by Paris-based research firm Ipsos in collaboration with Google.
Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria today is said to have brought about a lot of opportunities across different sectors, such as: Economic Growth: AI can significantly boost productivity in various industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance. With a youthful population and a dynamic start-up environment, embracing it can fuel innovation, generate employment, and promote economic development. It has helped diversify Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy through innovation in sectors like fintech, agrotech, and logistics. For instance, startups like Flutterwave are using it to enhance fraud detection and customer experience. Improving Services: In the healthcare sector, AI can support improved diagnostics, tailored medicine, and effective patient care. In finance, it can bolster fraud prevention, enhance operational efficiency, and enrich customer experiences through chatbots and personalised offerings.
Agricultural Innovation: Since agriculture remains a crucial industry in Nigeria, Artificial Intelligence can enhance crop production through precise farming techniques. Tools like drones, soil sensors, and predictive analytics can enable farmers to make well-informed choices, ultimately contributing to greater food security. Education and Skill Development: Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionise education by customizing learning experiences. Furthermore, training programmes focused on Artificial Intelligence. This can prepare the workforce with vital skills, ensuring they are ready for the upcoming job market. A clear example of how Artificial Intelligence has changed the way things are done in the educational system is seen when we take a quick peep at the United State and China educational system in recent years. Both Countries emerged as a formidable player in the field of artificial intelligence, undergoing a rapid transformation that has positioned it as a key competitor on the global stage. With a strategic focus on technological advancement, cultivated a thriving Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem marked by significant achievements in research, development, and deployment.
Smart Cities and Infrastructure: AI can aid in the creation of smart cities by improving urban planning, traffic control, and public safety through data analysis and real-time monitoring. For instance, cities like New York City, United States, London, United Kingdom, Paris, France, Tokyo, Japan, and Hong Kong, China. Hopefully, soon Nigeria will be counted as one of these cities with its right use and good governance. As exciting as these opportunities this technology has presented to Nigerians, it is of extreme importance that the threats are also looked at to give a clear and balanced perspective. According to Coursera, AI refers to computer systems capable of performing complex tasks that historically only a human could do, such as reasoning, making decisions, or solving problems. Based on the definition above, it is certain that its primary objective is a direct threat to humans’ abilities and creativity as it seeks to do what humans do better, thereby seducing and forcing human total reliance on it. With its fast deployment on popular online services around the world by key actors like Google, Open AI, Microsoft and Meta, the world’s economy is about to be enslaved by AIs advanced systems as more governments and people embrace its use, the likes of ChatGPT etc. For third world countries like Nigeria, this will mean massive job losses, massive brain drains, massive drop in human productivity through pervasive laziness, empowering big tech firms and advancing monopolistic capitalism which i personally subscribed to at its early appearance. About seven months ago, I came across a video of “robotic” fertilisation of an egg at Overture Life Sciences, I was filled with a mixed feelings of both shock and amazement as to how this could be a threat to humanity and its divine nature at large. It makes me wonder that if these robots can do all that humans can do, what else will we humans be needed for in years to come?
Other threats may include: Data Privacy and Security: The deployment of AI technologies often necessitates the collection of extensive data, which raises issues related to privacy and security. Inadequate data management can lead to breaches that compromise personal data and diminish public trust. Lack of Infrastructure: Despite its advancements, Nigeria confronts challenges such as inadequate technological infrastructure, limited internet connectivity, and unreliable power supply. These obstacles may impede the effective implementation and expansion of AI solutions. Regulatory and Ethical Issues: The swift progression of AI technology is outpacing the current regulatory frameworks. There is an urgent need for policies that tackle ethical concerns, ensuring that its applications do not deepen inequality or discrimination. Skill Gap: Although there is potential for job creation, a considerable skills gap exists within the workforce. Many individuals may not possess the necessary skills needed for emerging opportunities. In conclusion, although AI in Nigeria today is filled with great opportunities, enhancing lives, and formidable threats, its adoption can greatly improve various sectors including finance, education, agriculture, and healthcare, drive economic growth and improve efficiency. The potential for job creation, improved decision-making, and innovation is substantial, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global tech ecosystem.
Furthermore, the burgeoning youth population and increasing internet penetration offer it a robust foundation for development. On the other side of the coin, the journey towards its adoption is filled with various challenges like inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education, and regulatory hurdles that must be addressed to fully harness the benefits of this technology especially for these startups talked about initially. Issues regarding data privacy and ethical implications need to be looked into with all seriousness, necessitating frameworks that ensure its responsible usage. Most importantly, for Nigeria to successfully achieve this complex landscape, a collaborative approach involving government, the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society is essential. By prioritising investment in infrastructure, fostering a culture of innovation, and creating and sustaining policies that promote ethical practices, Nigeria can redirect potential threats into pathways for sustainable development. Embracing it thoughtfully will not only empower the nation but also pave the way for a prosperous future. AI is not just a technology trend; it’s the foundation of the future. If Nigeria must lead, and not lag, it must invest in education, infrastructure, and inclusive policy. It’s not enough to import foreign models, we need homegrown AI that understands our context, languages, and culture.
Michael Okpotu Onoja, writes from Abuja, Email: info@michaelonoja.com
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