The Rise and Adoption of AI Among Nigerian Youths

By Taiwo Oyedeji 

The simulation of human intelligence by machines, known as Artificial Intelligence (AI), has become a growing and evolving digital trend among Nigerian youths, as many are now engaging more with technology, particularly AI-powered tools and applications.

AI is now being applied across diverse fields, including medicine and science, to enhance medical and scientific progress, professional development, and predominantly in academics. Several training initiatives, online courses, and informative platforms have emerged to support the efficient and responsible use of AI.

In December 2024, the Federal Government, for example, launched a free Artificial Intelligence Academy for youths and civil servants. This academy was established in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation, aiming to redefine the country’s technological future.

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Nigeria is now known for its rapid adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence, with a high engagement rate among users. According to Google Trends, Nigeria has consistently ranked among the top five countries globally for interest in the use of “ChatGPT” since 2023.

Nigerian Youths Express Their Opinions

Interviews with Nigerian youths on their application of artificial intelligence reveal the widespread use of AI and its influence in education. Students now rely on tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Perplexity, and Photomath, among others, for schoolwork, including report writing, solving academic questions, completing projects, and generating write-ups and other customised content.

“You are the pilot, while AI is the aeroplane that takes you from a lack of knowledge to a pool of understanding, depending on where you steer it,” said David, an Information and Communication Engineering student and graphic designer. He further emphasised that AI is more than just an advanced version of Google, as most people think. It is more streamlined and hastens performance by providing specific and relevant information that helps to clarify concepts.

Oyinkansola, a Nigerian student, also shared her experience. She mentioned how AI has helped her in numerous ways: “I mainly use Perplexity. With Perplexity, I am able to input audio files and textbooks to summarise my schoolwork and also to generate write-ups.”

“Academically, AI has been a major help for me, especially in completing schoolwork and studying,” added Precious, a student and voice-over artist.

AI extends beyond education, as it plays a transformative role in social media and content creation. Social media platforms are now integrating AI features that simplify creative processes. Many social media users now leverage these advanced AI features to generate unique and engaging content effortlessly.

In addition to education and social media use, AI has been leveraged by several businesses and fields for innovation and growth. For designers, AI is used to draw inspiration. AI tools like DALL-E, an image generator developed by OpenAI, allow users to create fashion sketches, design concepts, and visual ideas.

“As a graphic designer, I use AI for inspiration generation, colour code combination, and even image generation,” David noted. He also emphasised the importance of using effective prompts to maximise output.

However, despite the enthusiasm surrounding AI adoption, there are growing concerns that can lead to issues among the youth, as over-reliance on AI can hinder critical thinking, encourage theft, and result in the misuse of AI applications for scamming, and generating fake videos and images for misinformation.

“AI in the hands of the wrong person can cause havoc,” David warned. He expressed concern about the difficulty of regulating AI as it evolves, especially regarding its use to produce dangerous substances or even weapon-related knowledge.

As much as it helps to improve innovation and makes lives better, it also poses risks. Many people are beginning to lose their jobs due to AI programmes that now perform tasks more efficiently and at a lower cost.