Nigerians are increasingly turning to Google to learn new skills and explore entrepreneurial opportunities, with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a pathway to career advancement. According to Google’s latest search trends, the growing interest reflects a nationwide push for upskilling and financial independence in response to Nigeria’s evolving job market.
Over the past year, searches related to career development and business growth have surged significantly. Interest in “how to make money with AI” rose by 40%, while searches on starting a business from home nearly doubled, climbing by 90%. Queries about launching a business without initial capital also jumped by 80%, signalling a rising entrepreneurial mindset among Nigerians seeking alternative income streams.
The top “how to start a business” searches highlight a broad range of ventures, including real estate, cocoa export, ghostwriting, fashion, and importation. This shows that Nigerians are actively pursuing both traditional and digital business opportunities to achieve financial independence.
In addition, there’s a clear shift toward digital and creative careers. Some of the most-searched skill-related queries include “how to start freelancing with no experience,” “how to start a fashion brand,” and “how to start creating content,” revealing growing interest in flexible, tech-enabled work options.
AI and technology-related learning are among the fastest-growing search categories. Searches for “how to learn AI” spiked by 160%, making it one of Nigeria’s top trending learning topics. Other fast-rising skills include forex trading (+300%), makeup (+270%), Photoshop (+180%), and computer literacy (+160%).
Commenting on the findings, Google’s West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, said the trends capture the ambition and resilience of Nigerians who are using technology to drive progress. He noted that more people are leveraging AI and digital tools to build careers, create opportunities, and thrive in a changing professional landscape, adding that Google remains committed to providing platforms and resources that support this growth and innovation.
