The Regional Managing Partner for EY West Africa, Anthony Oputa, has stated that business leaders across Nigeria are increasingly pivoting from broad experimentation to targeted scaling of artificial intelligence to navigate a volatile economic landscape.
He noted that integrating AI into core business units is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity for survival and growth.
“As global inflation and supply chain disruptions persist, West African firms are leveraging smart technology to insulate themselves against market shocks and drive operational efficiency,” Oputa said.
“In Nigeria and West Africa, businesses face many challenges but also great chances to grow. We see leaders using smart plans and new technology like AI to build stronger companies,” he added.
The emphasis on AI comes at a critical time, as the EY-Parthenon 2026 CEO Outlook report on Wednesday reveals that 93 per cent of Nigerian companies have already adopted some form of AI to streamline operations. The focus has moved beyond basic automation toward transforming the very fabric of executive leadership. By identifying specific departments, such as logistics, finance, or customer service, where AI can be most effective, companies are seeing a direct impact on their bottom line and long-term resilience.
“The key is identifying the business units where AI can accelerate productivity and transform decision-making,” Oputa added, highlighting that the ultimate goal is to create a more agile and data-driven corporate culture.
The report further indicates that global CEOs are shifting their focus from workforce reduction to human empowerment, with 42 per cent planning to reskill their employees to harness the full potential of AI.
According to the EY-Parthenon survey, business leaders increasingly view AI as a tool to augment rather than replace staff, with 82 per cent of executives prioritising disciplined, long-term growth and operational resilience over rapid automation.
The survey, which polled 1,200 CEOs across 21 countries, reveals a significant pivot in corporate sentiment. While nearly all CEOs (99 per cent) acknowledge that AI will fundamentally change workforce management over the next three years, only 20 per cent believe it will lead to fewer new hires, a sharp decline from 46 per cent just a year ago.
Commenting on the development, EY-Parthenon Global Vice Chair Andrea Guerzoni said, “CEOs see AI as a tool to help workers do better, not replace them. We are seeing a faster shift to skills-powered organisations, with teams equipped to scale new technologies rather than being sidelined by them.”
This sentiment is supported by data showing that 42 per cent of CEOs are already planning to train their current workforce in new skills, while 44 per cent are actively redesigning roles to ensure seamless collaboration between humans and AI. In West Africa, the drive toward upskilling is seen as both a necessity and a competitive advantage. Local leaders emphasise that without a workforce capable of steering AI, the technology remains an untapped resource.
Despite the optimism regarding talent, CEOs remain wary of external pressures. Geopolitics has moved to the top of the risk agenda, with 56 per cent of leaders citing it as their primary concern for the next 12 months. High energy prices and shifting trade regulations are forcing a more disciplined approach to growth.
However, rather than retreating, CEOs are doubling down on “smart deals”. The report found that 89 per cent plan to pursue mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships in the coming year, with nearly half (48 per cent) doing so specifically to acquire better AI technology and the specialised talent that comes with it.
As AI moves from broad experimentation to targeted scaling, the most successful organisations in 2026 will be those that treat technology as a management revolution. By prioritising human upskilling, CEOs are betting that the best way to survive a volatile global economy is to ensure their people are as capable as the systems they operate.
