AI key to boosting Nigeria’s productivity

Nine in 10 Nigerian companies have adopted some form of artificial intelligence, as business leaders move from broad experimentation to targeted deployment of the technology, according to the EY-Parthenon 2026 CEO Outlook report.

Anthony Oputa, Regional Managing Partner for EY West Africa, said integrating AI into core business operations had become a strategic necessity rather than an option.

“As global inflation and supply chain disruptions persist, West African firms are leveraging smart technology to insulate themselves against market shocks and drive operational efficiency,” he said.

Oputa added that the focus was on identifying where AI could deliver the most value. “The key is identifying the business units where AI can accelerate productivity and transform decision-making,” he said.

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The report, which polled 1,200 chief executive officers across 21 countries, found a notable shift in how executives view AI’s impact on the workforce. While 99 per cent of CEOs acknowledged that AI would fundamentally change workforce management within three years, only 20 per cent believed it would lead to fewer new hires, down sharply from 46 per cent a year ago.

EY-Parthenon Global Vice Chair Andrea Guerzoni said the trend pointed toward human empowerment rather than job cuts. “CEOs see AI as a tool to help workers do better, not replace them. We are seeing a faster shift to skills-powered organisations, with teams equipped to scale new technologies rather than being sidelined by them,” he said.

Globally, 42 per cent of CEOs plan to reskill their existing workforce, while 44 per cent are redesigning roles to foster collaboration between staff and AI systems. Geopolitical risk remains the top concern for 56 per cent of leaders, though 89 per cent still plan to pursue mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships in the coming year, with nearly half doing so to acquire AI capabilities and specialised talent.