From Automation To Strategy: AI Gains Ground In Nigeria
Nigerian Businesses Accelerate AI Adoption to Redesign Jobs and Skills
ARTIFICIAL intelligence is rapidly transforming Nigeria’s corporate landscape, with 72 per cent of businesses exploring AI-driven workforce restructuring, according to the EY-Parthenon 2026 CEO Outlook report.
The findings underscore how deeply technology is influencing organisational strategy as companies confront inflationary pressures, geopolitical risks and slowing global growth.
AI as a Workforce Disruptor
EY reported that while nearly all Nigerian companies surveyed—93 per cent—are already using AI to improve efficiency, a growing majority now expect it to redefine how work is organised, how skills are deployed and how productivity is measured.
This marks a shift from AI as a support tool to AI as a central driver of structural change in business operations.
Confidence Persists Despite Global Headwinds
The report noted that CEOs worldwide continue to face uncertainty stemming from tariffs, trade wars and geopolitical instability. However, confidence in AI, talent and operational efficiency remains strong.
Globally, nearly 90 per cent of CEOs expect improvements in revenue, profitability and productivity, believing technology-led efficiency gains can offset macroeconomic challenges.
Although overall CEO sentiment declined slightly, EY said optimism remains anchored in strategic investment rather than cost-cutting alone.
Three Priorities for 2026
To sustain growth, the report outlined three core priorities: sharper cost discipline through AI-enabled productivity, more precise pricing strategies grounded in customer insight, and accelerated development of skills-powered organisations.
EY warned that firms failing to adapt their operating models risk falling behind competitors who are using AI and mergers and acquisitions to drive transformation.
Targeted AI Scaling Takes Centre Stage
Commenting on the findings, EY West Africa Regional Managing Partner Anthony Oputa said the focus has shifted from experimentation to scaling.
“Businesses are becoming more disciplined about where AI delivers the greatest value, whether in decision-making, productivity or customer engagement,” he said.
Oputa added that fragile global growth would force leaders to make tougher investment choices, balancing immediate pressures with long-term competitiveness.
