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Google Search Trends Reveal Nigerians More Interested in Artificial Intelligence than Ever Before
Nigerians interest in Artificial Intelligence, (AI) have increased by 5,000% more in 2022 than 2021, according to Google search trends released on Friday.
According to the report, search interest in “artificial intelligence” reached a record high in 2022 in Nigeria and across the world.
Top trending questions in Nigeria include “what is AI art”, “what is deep learning in artificial intelligence”, “how to become an AI engineer” and “when was artificial intelligence invented” – all of which have been searched 5,000% more in 2022 than 2021.
Other searches included “what is artificial intelligence all about” (+370%), “is artificial intelligence a course” (+260%) and “what is artificial intelligence” (+130%).
Google, who views AI as a solution for addressing significant societal challenges, like climate change, recently shared their approach to pursuing AI responsibly, which includes the need to prioritise building and testing for safety, and prioritising its purpose for public good.
Matt Brittin, President of Google Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “It’s great to see people in Nigeria showing more of an interest in the transformational technology that is AI.
“AI is already a key part of many of our lives – in fact, if you use Google tools regularly, you’re probably using AI without even realising:
“it’s what helps Maps give you the fastest or most fuel-efficient route, or Search to find what you’re looking for. We’re continuing to pursue AI boldly and responsibly – creating tools that improve the lives of as many people as possible.”
The trends, released today, also show that people in Nigeria are increasingly interested in protecting their cybersecurity and online privacy.
In 2022, searches for “computer security” were the top form of security searched worldwide and in Nigeria, while “cybercrime” was searched at record levels globally. Nigerians frequently searched for cyber security – with “what is ethical hacking” increasing by over 5,000%, while searches for “what is cybersecurity” and “what is a virus in a computer” increased by 200% and 80% respectively.
Google is using AI to address security challenges – including on Gmail, which automatically blocks more than 99.9% of malware, phishing and spam and protects more than 1.5 billion inboxes using AI.
With more people using the internet than ever before, to manage every aspect of their daily lives, people in Nigeria are also interested in increasing their privacy online. Searches for “private browsing” surged in 2022, increasing by 70% – while Nigerians searched for “one time password” more than any other country worldwide. Searches for “password manager”- a Google tool that makes it easy to use a strong, unique password for all of your online accounts – also reached a 10 year high in Nigeria.
People in Nigeria also turned to Google to help them better understand the economy, learn new skills and build their careers.
2022 was an uncertain year economically, reflected in the search trends.
Searches for inflation hit an all-time high worldwide, and a 10-year high in Nigeria. Searches for “causes of cost push inflation”, “creeping inflation” and “what is recession” increased by over 5,000%. People also took to Google to understand the causes of rising prices and how to reduce them – with searches for “how to save heat”, “how to save water” and “how to save money” increasing by 370%, 80% and 22% respectively.
People in Nigeria aren’t just turning to Google to understand these issues – they’re also looking for resources to navigate these challenges and build their careers. Searches for “how to learn coding” doubled, while searches for “how to learn video editing” (+450%), “how to learn web development” (+350%) and “how to learn photoshop” (+130%) also increased.
People also turned to Google to prepare for job interviews and find new opportunities: with search interest for the topic “job” increasing by 50%. Google itself continues to offer training and advice to those who need it most, having provided digital skills training to 22 million people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa since 2015 through their ‘Grow with Google’ programme.
People in Nigeria care about building a more sustainable future – and are using Google to understand how to do that.
The trends released today also show that people in Nigeria value environmentalism and sustainability. Across the world, searches for “climate change”, “climate crisis” and “sustainability” reached record highs – while in Nigeria, searches for “eco anxiety”, “greenwashing”, and “veganism” are at an all-time high.
Nigerians are also increasingly searching for “green energy”, “sustainable art” and “low emission vehicle” – all rising over 5,000% – as well as “renewable fuels” (+330%), “green growth” (+330%) and “solar fuel” (+240%).
Across the world, searches for environmental disasters were searched more than ever – including “drought”, “flood” and “landslides”, while in Nigeria “heat wave” has reached an all-time search high.
Google is no stranger to increased interest in sustainability – and, as well as working to achieve net zero emissions across all of its operations and value chain by 2030, is committed to enabling everyone to make more sustainable choices.
Over the last few years, Google has made changes to its core products, which reach billions of people each day, to help users make more sustainable choices. Last year, Google released eco-friendly routing in Europe , which uses artificial intelligence to help show Google Maps users the most fuel and eco-efficient route, as well as the fastest.
The tool is already estimated to have saved more than half a million metric tons of carbon emissions – equivalent to taking 100,000 fuel-based cars off the road. Google also made changes to its Hotel, Flight and Shopping tools to help users see which options are most sustainable.
Keystone Bank has brought a motion seeking to be joined as a party to the suit over the ownership and control of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service (EMTS), which is the holder and operator of 9Mobile Telecommunication licence.
The messy turnaround came as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja resumed hearing in the suit.
At the hearing, Keystone Bank, brought a motion seeking to be joined as a party to the suite, a proposed statement of defence and counter-claim which discloses triable issues and also demonstrates applicant’s interest in the subject of this suit.
The bank in its counter-claim is seeking among other reliefs that the resolution of the 5th defendant passed on December 7, 2023, increasing the share capital of the 6th defendant to counter-claim from N90, 000,000 to N2, 000,000,000 and reducing the 3rd defendant’s percentage stake/interest/shareholding in the 6th defendant to counter-claim to approximately 4.5 percent is null and void.
Abubakar Funtua, the plaintiff, had dragged General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and his company LH Telecommunication Limited, as well as the other defendants to court over the ownership and control of EMTS trading under the name of 9Mobile.
The other Defendants are Seltrix Limited (sued as the 1st defendant), the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Hayatu Hassan Hadeija, Teleology Nigerian Limited and one Mohammed Edewor, a Director in Teleology Nigeria Limited.
At the resumed hearing in the case, parties were confronted with a motion by Keystone Bank seeking to be joined as a party to the suit with a statement of defence, counter-claim and allegation of fraud against some parties in the suit No. /ABJ/CS/1971/2024.
The motion states among other things that: “The applicant, Keystone Bank, also intends to present a counter-claim and has prepared a proposed statement of defence and counter-claim which discloses triable and fecund issues and also demonstrates applicant’s interest in the subject of this suit.
“The case of the applicant, is that the resolution passed by the 3rd defendant on May 9, 2023, approving the change of control/ownership of the 5th defendant from the 3rd defendant to the 8th defendant, in violation of the facilities agreements (Deed of Share charge) between the applicant and 3rd defendant, and the orders of the court made on February 20, 2023, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/297/2023 is illegal, null and void.
“The case of the applicant, as set out in the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim, is that the resolution passed by the 3rd defendant on May 9, 2023, approving the change of control/ownership of the 5th defendant from the 3rd defendant to the 8th defendant, in violation of the facilities agreements (Deed of Share charge) between the applicant and 3rd defendant, and the orders of the court made on February 20, 2023, in suit No. FHC/L/CS/297/2023 is illegal, null and void.
“The applicant also asserts in the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim that the resolution of the 5th defendant passed on December 7, 2023, increasing the share capital of the 6th defendant to counterclaim from N90,000,000 to N2,000,000,000 and reducing the 3rd defendant’s percentage stake/interest/shareholding in the 6th defendant to counterclaim to approximately 4.5 perceent is null and void.
“The applicant intends to seek the following reliefs, endorsed on the proposed statement of defence and counter-claim, at the hearing of the case: “A declaration that the 1st defendant to counterclaim is not a shareholder, either directly or indirectly, of the 6th defendant to counterclaim.
MTN Nigeria’s Go Make A Difference (Go MAD) campaign brought its message of innovation and empowerment to Aba, the renowned hub of enterprise, on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
L-R: Joseph Ogbuka, Manager, Go-To-Market, MTN Nigeria; Micheal Chinedum Ogbonna, CEO, Mua Couture; Dr. Precious Uche, CEO, Tonatel Beauty & Spa and MacDaniels Enwemuche, Regional Manager, Sales & Trade Development, MTN Nigeria at the Go MAD regional activation at Sugarland, Luxury City Hotels, Aba on Sunday March 23, 2025.
The event, held at Sugarland, Luxury City Hotel, celebrated local creativity and resilience while encouraging Nigerians to take bold steps toward transforming their communities.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria had earlier the inspiration behind the Go M.A.D initiative. “The Go M.A.D. campaign is rooted in the belief that MTN data gives you the power to take on the world, to achieve the extraordinary, and to make a meaningful difference, in your community, your family, and your workplace.”
The campaign has already made stops in cities like Abuja, Enugu, Calabar, Ibadan, and Benin, showcasing changemakers who embody the spirit of progress. In his opening remarks, MacDaniels Enwemuche, Regional Manager, Sales & Trade Development at MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of resilience during challenging times. He stated: “MTN is here to remind us that every great achievement starts small. We’re providing a platform for Nigerians to showcase their skills and products, not just locally but globally, removing limitations and amplifying their impact.”
Describing Aba as Nigeria’s “Silicon Valley”, Enwemuche explained the need to activate this campaign in Aba, due to the city’s industrious spirit and alignment with the Go MAD philosophy: “Aba is already making a difference. Every person — doctor, teacher, shoemaker — has a role to play in our ecosystem. Do it well.”
The event featured inspiring stories from local changemakers. Like chessmaster Tunde Onakoya, the campaign’s ambassador, these stories reflected how small steps can lead to global impact. Onakoya rose from humble beginnings to become a Guinness World Record holder for the longest chess marathon. His journey exemplifies the transformative power of determination and digital connectivity.
Local talents also took centre stage in a vibrant showcase. A body painter, tailor, and mechanical engineer demonstrated their crafts live, while fashion designer Prinna Nnanna unveiled an athleisure line sewn overnight and modelled on-site.
The Icons of Impact session highlighted changemakers using MTN data to drive social change. Dr. Precious Uche, CEO of Tonatel Beauty and Spa, shared her mission to redefine beauty standards:
“My business fights bleaching and promotes ‘black is beautiful.’ MTN data has helped me spread this message across Owerri and Aba.”
Fashion entrepreneur Michael Chinedu Ogbonna, CEO of Mua Couture, discussed how digital tools have expanded his reach: “The internet has made the world a global village. I now create clothes for clients in Malaysia, the US, and Canada — all thanks to data.”
Through storytelling, cultural showcases, and real-life examples, the Go MAD Aba activation reminded attendees that even small acts of courage can spark significant change. The campaign continues to celebrate resilience and innovation across Nigeria while empowering communities with digital tools.
With upcoming activations planned for cities like Jos, Lagos, and Kano, MTN remains committed to inspiring Nigerians to make a difference, one bold step at a time.
Ayotunde Coker, chief executive officer of OpenAccess Data Centre has described Open Access fabric, the company’s Africa-led interconnection platform as key driver of a digital economy, offering a range of virtual connectivity services from Open Access Data Centres (OADC) facilities.
Empowered by West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), extensive digital backbone, OAfabric offers enterprises and service providers access to diverse digital ecosystems, supporting user-to-service, user-to-user and site-to-site connectivity.
Coker stated this during a tour of Open Access Data Centre facility in Lagos by some journalists recently.
According to him, “designed as a future-ready foundation, OAfabric unites cloud and local connectivity with OADC’s market-leading colocation solutions, establishing an innovative, scalable African infrastructure platform that addresses both local and global digital transformation demands.
“OA fabric offers a reliable, adaptable interconnection platform to support Africa’s growing digital needs and hybrid infrastructures for local and global providers
“Enabling secure, direct cloud connections, OA fabric supports data sovereignty and fosters local provider growth, OA fabric provides IX peering, virtual interconnection, and tailored IP services for Africa’s digital landscape.
“It’s not about a particular service provider, it’s about everybody. Once you have a network and you are able to route traffic, even if you are not live yet, and you are hoping to come in the future, we are waiting for you to come on board. So, that platform converges everybody.
“With Open Access fabric, everyone is expected to interconnect. You are collaborating with the government. You are collaborating with the banks. We are collaborating with all these guys to interconnect everyone, Microsoft, Google, all the cloud companies connect into it, because we already have the connectivity business”.
He noted that, “Through OA fabric, all the other connectivity providers have access to any content on OA fabric, so SMB, SMEs, MSMEs, who probably doesn’t have a registered business, but on social media, selling clothes and things like that, can have cost effective access to resources on the internet.
Speaking on Metro fiber project which OADC is partnering with WBT, Coker explained that they have covered over 5 million homes in Lagos. “The job of the Internet Service Provider or MNO in the project is to maintain relationship with the residents of that area, make sure that the infrastructure is secured”.
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