Nigerians Use More Search, AI Tools For Global Connection, Creative Arts – Report

Technology company, Google has revealed that Nigerians are increasingly leveraging Search and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to develop creative skills, explore artistic interests, and connect with global opportunities.

This was disclosed in its latest search trends data for March 2026, which highlights a growing shift toward using digital tools as practical assistants for personal development and creative expression.

Nigeria widely recognised as one of Africa’s leading creative hubs, continues to make global impact through industries such as Nollywood and the Afrobeats music scene. Nollywood, ranked as the fifth largest film industry globally has seen its gross value approach $8 billion, with over 70 per cent of watch time for Nigerian content coming from international audiences.

Similarly, Afrobeats has gained worldwide traction, recording more than 13 billion streams annually on platforms like Spotify.

According to the data, Nigerians are now deliberately building on this legacy by adopting digital tools to enhance their creative capabilities. Interest in learning painting has surged by 90 per cent in the past year, while calligraphy has emerged as a breakout search trend, reflecting new avenues for artistic expression.

The report further shows that musical development is also gaining momentum, with searches for learning the guitar rising by 80 per cent. Advanced AI-powered music tools such as Lyria 3 have also become increasingly popular among users seeking to refine their sound production skills.

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Meanwhile, Nigerians are using technology to strengthen global connections through language learning. Searches for Italian have increased by 130 per cent, while interest in Japanese has doubled within the last year.

The trend extends into education, where students and parents are utilising AI tools for academic support. Searches for AI tutors have emerged as a breakout trend, while interest in combining chemistry with AI tools has doubled. Homework-related searches also recorded a 70 per cent increase, indicating growing reliance on digital learning aids.

Industry analysts at Public First noted that digital technology remains a key driver of economic growth, estimating that every dollar invested in technology generates over eight dollars in economic value. This is reflected in Nigeria’s ICT sector, which recently contributed more than 16 per cent to real GDP.

The report also highlighted the role of infrastructure in enabling this growth, citing projects such as the Equiano subsea cable, which delivers significantly higher network capacity and supports improved connectivity. Increased connectivity, it noted, is linked to a 5.7 per cent rise in GDP for every one per cent improvement.

Commenting on the trend, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, West Africa at Google, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said the development reflects the ingenuity of Nigerians in adopting technology for growth.

“It is inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning and growth. The surge in creative arts and language mastery shows a nation that is actively shaping its future with technology. Nigerians are using Search and AI as 24/7 tutors to master high demand skills and connect with the world. This everyday resourcefulness is helping our entrepreneurial population achieve their highest ambitions,” he said.

Google further stated that its tools, including Search and Workspace, are already delivering measurable impact, with Nigerian knowledge workers saving over 22 million hours weekly. This, the company said, translates to an estimated $4.7 billion boost in national productivity.

The report added that AI literacy in Nigeria has grown by 840 per cent, underscoring a deliberate shift toward integrating technology into both professional and creative pursuits.