By Ejiose Ikuenobe
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is changing how people live and work all over the world—and Nigeria is part of this change. AI means using computers or machines that can think, learn, and make decisions like people. In Nigeria, AI is now being used in areas like banking, farming, tax collection, and business. It is helping people do things faster and making services better. But while AI brings many good things, it also causes problems especially for workers who might lose their jobs to machines.
As Nigeria’s economy grows, AI can be a great tool to help more people and businesses. But we must also make sure that no one is left behind by this fast-moving technology.
How AI Is Improving Banking and Finance
AI is already changing how banks work in Nigeria. Some digital banks now use smart tools to check if someone can get a loan. They look at things like phone usage, spending habits, and social behavior instead of asking for papers or collateral. This helps small business owners and low-income earners get loans faster sometimes in just minutes.
AI is also used in customer service. Many banks now use chatbots that answer questions and solve problems anytime, day or night. This helps customers get support more quickly and saves the bank time and money.
AI’s Role in Public Finance and Tax Collection
The government is also using AI to collect more taxes. The tax office uses smart systems to find people and companies that are not paying what they should. These systems check data from bank accounts, electricity use, and even social media to catch tax cheats. In places where this was tried, tax payments went up by over 15%. This means the government can get more money without raising taxes, just by using technology better.
How Startups Are Using AI to Solve Local Problems
Tech startups in Nigeria are using AI to help people in creative ways. One company made a chatbot that works on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. It lets users buy airtime, send money, and pay bills just by typing messages in their own language even in Pidgin English. This makes digital services easier to use for people who can’t read well or don’t speak formal English.
These smart solutions are helping more people access services, grow their businesses, and improve their daily lives.
The Impact of AI on Jobs and Workers
Even though AI brings many benefits, it also affects jobs. In farming, AI tools now help farmers know the best time to plant and harvest. They can also rent tractors using mobile apps. This means farms can grow more food with fewer workers. But it also means that many people who depend on farm work may lose their jobs.
In banks, AI is doing the work of human customer service agents. One bank said its chatbot now does the job of 50 people. That saves money, but it also means fewer job openings for young Nigerians who are just starting their careers.
Conclusion
AI is already changing Nigeria and it’s happening fast. It can help grow the economy, improve services, and make life easier for many people. But it can also increase the gap between the rich and the poor if we don’t act carefully.
To make sure AI works for everyone, Nigeria needs smart plans. Schools should teach young people about AI and technology. Workers whose jobs are replaced should get training for new kinds of work. The government should also protect people’s data and make sure AI is used fairly.
AI is not something that will come in the future. It is already here. The big question is: will Nigeria use it to build a better and more equal society or will we let it leave many people behind? The answer depends on what we do today.
