Nigerian companies are rapidly reshaping their digital future, with artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy now standing at the heart of corporate strategy. A recent study commissioned by Zoho and conducted by Arion Research reveals that 93% of Nigerian firms have already embraced AI, while 84% have reinforced privacy safeguards to match the pace of technological change.
Speaking at the 2025 Zoholics Nigeria User Conference in Lagos, Zoho Nigeria’s Country Head, Kehinde Ogundare, noted that the findings mark a turning point: local companies are no longer merely experimenting with AI but are now embedding it across entire organisations.
The report shows that privacy has matured into a business priority. Nearly every company surveyed has appointed a privacy officer or team, with 40% dedicating significant portions of their IT budgets to privacy initiatives. For Ogundare, this reflects Zoho’s long-standing principle of “privacy-first AI”—technology designed to fuel growth while protecting customer trust.
The study also points to growing awareness of Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, which has prompted 65% of organisations to sharpen compliance strategies. More than half now conduct privacy audits, implement data minimisation, and demand transparency in AI-driven decisions.
Investments in skills are also on the rise. Companies are building internal expertise in data analytics (69%), AI literacy (53%), and even the emerging field of prompt engineering for generative AI (40%). Still, a shortage of technical talent persists, with 37% of firms citing it as a major barrier—a challenge increasingly addressed through upskilling programs.
Zoho itself is riding the digital adoption wave. The company recorded 75% customer growth in Nigeria in 2024, making it one of its fastest-growing markets in Africa. Demand is driven by products like Zoho Workplace, Zoho Books, and Zoho One, particularly among industries such as finance, IT, energy, education, and retail.
Chief Analyst at Arion Research, Michael Fauscette, highlighted Nigeria’s experience as a global case study: “When 84% of firms strengthen privacy while deploying AI, it proves that governance and innovation can move forward together—not as opposites, but as complementary forces.”
For Nigerian businesses, the message is clear: the race toward digital transformation is not just about adopting AI, but about embedding it responsibly. Those that strike the right balance between innovation and trust are positioning themselves for sustainable global competitiveness.
