Abstract

The rapid proliferation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has significantly transformed scholarly communication globally. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding its implications within Nigerian academia. This study investigates the awareness, utilization, perceived benefits, and challenges of GenAI among Nigerian academics. A quantitative descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 114 academics across various higher education institutions in Nigeria. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used for analysis. Descriptive statistics revealed high awareness and adoption of text-based GenAI tools, particularly for writing-related tasks. Inferential analysis further demonstrated that awareness level and internet reliability significantly influence the frequency of GenAI use (p < 0.05), while academic rank has no significant effect. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that perceived benefits of GenAI vary significantly with awareness levels, while perceived challenges remain consistently high across all groups. The findings indicate that GenAI adoption among Nigerian academics is driven primarily by awareness and infrastructural conditions rather than hierarchical factors. While GenAI enhances research efficiency and accessibility, concerns related to academic integrity, over-reliance, and data privacy persist universally. The study concludes that GenAI presents both opportunities and risks, requiring institutional policies, training, and infrastructure development to ensure responsible integration into scholarly communication.

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