As schools across Nigeria reopen, new Google Search trend data was released on Tuesday, showing that students increasingly depend on artificial intelligence to help them with their studies.
According to Google, searches that combined “AI + studying” increased by more than 200 per cent, indicating that students are interested in AI and actively using it as a study aid. The company explained that students were looking for AI tutors, free resources, and prompts to help them with their work in a range of subjects.
According to the data, searches for “AI + chemistry” increased by 50 per cent, whereas searches for “AI + maths” and “AI + languages” each increased by 30 per cent. There was also a 20 per cent increase in queries connecting AI to grammar.
According to Google, one of the most frequently asked search queries was, “What is the best AI in the world for solving mathematical problems?” as well as “how to solve math problems using AI.”
AI as a means of expanding knowledge
According to Olumide Balogun, director of Google’s West Africa division, the trend demonstrated that students were adopting AI to expand their knowledge.
According to Balogun, Nigerian students were using AI as a tool to enhance their comprehension of complex subjects like chemistry and mathematics, rather than merely as a source of answers.
He went on to say that the business was dedicated to giving students the resources they needed to grow, learn, and achieve.
Google observed that interest in AI was growing outside of the classroom. Searches like “who is the father of AI” increased by 70 per cent, while “how to use AI” and “what is the full meaning of AI” both increased by 80 per cent.
Google claimed that the simultaneous 29 per cent increase in “AI detection” queries was indicative of a broader discussion about academic integrity and responsible use.
Increase in career-focused searches via AI
The business also noted an increase in career-focused searches. According to the report, “Generative AI” has become a popular search term in the last 12 months and frequently appears with “professional certification,” indicating that young Nigerians were preparing for the workforce of the future.
According to Google, the results showed a wider national trend, with searches for AI in Nigeria reaching a record high in 2025 and increasing by 60 per cent in the previous 12 months.