By Philips Omaojo Sanni
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. From healthcare to banking, AI is driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and unlocking new opportunities for businesses of all sizes across the country.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
In Nigeria’s healthcare sector, AI is improving diagnostics and patient care. For example, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) employs an AI-powered system to analyze mammograms and detect early signs of breast cancer with high accuracy
Additionally, the KOYO Navigate app, powered by AI from UK-based digiLab and Nigerian startup KOYO, launched in Abuja in September 2025 to provide guided consultations, addressing the shortage of over 200,000 doctors and supporting urban and peri-urban families with features in local languages like Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo
Transforming Banking and Finance
The banking industry is leveraging AI for fraud detection and customer service. Nigerian banks are deploying AI-powered chatbots to handle transactions and inquiries seamlessly, enhancing customer experience
For fraud prevention, institutions like those using platforms such as Fraud.net monitor transactions in real-time to detect anomalies, reducing losses from incidents that reached N472 million in Q1 2023
AI also supports credit risk management by predicting defaults, promoting financial inclusion in a transitioning digital economy.
Empowering Small Businesses
AI isn’t just for large corporations. Small businesses in Nigeria are adopting AI tools for inventory management and marketing. A small fashion brand in Lagos used ChatGPT to generate weekly Instagram posts, resulting in 25% more engagement in one month
Platforms like Intellia provide AI chatbots for customer support, helping SMEs optimize operations and reduce costs, while tools like Jasper aid in creating multilingual content for broader reach
Potential for Large Enterprises
Large Nigerian companies are integrating AI to streamline operations. In the oil and gas sector, firms are using AI for predictive maintenance to forecast equipment failures, minimizing downtime and costs in facilities like those on Bonny Island
For manufacturing, enterprises like Dangote Group are exploring AI for supply chain optimization and process automation, though specific implementations are emerging as part of broader digital transformation efforts
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its promise, challenges like limited internet infrastructure and data privacy concerns remain. However, with government support through initiatives like the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub and growing tech adoption, AI could spur a new wave of entrepreneurship. As more businesses invest in training and local AI solutions, Nigeria is poised to become a regional tech hub.
Conclusion
AI is revolutionizing Nigerian businesses by enhancing healthcare delivery with tools like KOYO Navigate, securing financial systems with AI chatbots and fraud detection, empowering small firms with ChatGPT and Intellia, and optimizing large enterprises like those in oil and gas. As the technology evolves, its role will only grow, shaping a future where innovation drives economic growth across the nation.
Stay tuned for more insights on AI’s impact in Nigeria!