On 4 September 2025 in Port Harcourt, Aptech Computer Education made a bold statement: Nigeria is now the world’s leader in several key areas of internet and artificial intelligence (AI) use. Speaking at the 17th edition of Career Quest, Aptech’s Assistant Vice President, Seetam Thakuri, shared data showing how Nigerians are not only embracing digital technologies but also outperforming global peers in multiple categories.
For a nation often battling infrastructure gaps, these results are striking. They reveal a country whose youthful population is determined to make technology part of everyday life—and to set the pace globally.
Table of Contents
Youth Powering the Digital Shift
Aptech’s report highlighted four standout achievements:
- 75% of Nigerians online actively engage with AI tools, ranking first globally.
- 100% use chat and messaging platforms, second worldwide.
- 78% participate in mobile video calling, the highest in the world.
- 93% consume online news, another global number one.
The data paints a picture of a mobile-first, tech-curious society. In addition, 69% of Nigerians listen to podcasts, also the highest worldwide, while 67% shop online weekly and 66% stream videos regularly, both placing the country second globally.
By contrast, cryptocurrency adoption stands at 19%, ranking Nigeria fourth worldwide. This shows that while Nigerians are bold in communication and content adoption, they remain more cautious in digital finance.
Aptech’s Role in Building Skills
Aptech has operated in Nigeria for over 25 years, with 65 training centres across the country. Beyond reporting these figures, the company is actively shaping the talent pipeline to sustain Nigeria’s digital momentum.
At the Port Harcourt event, Aptech awarded ₦36 million in scholarships to young people, underscoring its commitment to creating opportunities. Thakuri described Nigeria as Africa’s “Big Brother” in IT, praising the creativity and innovation seen in animation, entertainment, and tech start-ups.
Aptech’s survey also revealed how Nigerians access the internet:
- 95.9% via mobile phones, confirming the country’s mobile-first reality.
- 60.7% use laptops or desktops, largely for school and office work.
- 95.7% are active on social media, spending nearly 19 hours weekly.
- 45.4% of users are female, showing broad gender participation.
This profile underscores the centrality of the internet in Nigerian daily life—whether for learning, commerce, or connection.
Nigeria’s Global Standing and the Road Ahead
Nigeria’s digital leadership is not limited to consumers. In May 2025, a global survey by Arup revealed that 46% of Nigerian engineers use AI daily for architecture and infrastructure—more than their peers in the US and Brazil. This proves that Nigerians are not just consuming technology but applying it to solve complex professional challenges.
However, experts caution that more work is needed. Reports from Oxford Insights and other think-tanks rank Nigeria lower in overall AI readiness, citing weak infrastructure, high energy costs, and limited regulation. The country also lags on global digital competitiveness indexes, ranking 125th.
To bridge this gap, Aptech continually updates its training programmes, offering courses in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI/machine learning, digital marketing, game design, data analytics, and full-stack development. By aligning education with industry needs, Aptech ensures that Nigerian students are globally employable.
Conclusion: Nigeria’s Digital Future Shines Bright
Aptech’s findings confirm what many young Nigerians already know: the country is a leader in how people use the internet and AI. From mobile video calls to podcast listening and online shopping, Nigerians are shaping global digital culture.
Aptech’s scholarships and skill-building programmes demonstrate how education can transform raw enthusiasm into marketable expertise. Still, sustaining Nigeria’s position will require more than private investment. Government support, infrastructure development, and clear policies must complement the efforts of institutions like Aptech.
For now, the evidence is undeniable: Aptech has spotlighted how Nigeria leads global internet and AI adoption rates. With its youthful population and hunger for technology, Nigeria is not just part of the digital revolution—it is helping to define it.
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