Working with AI the Naija way : Exploring AI Adoption and Human-AI Collaboration Among Nigerian Product Managers

This study explores how Nigerian digital product managers perceive and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in their workflows. While AI is increasingly used across organisations, little is known about its integration in product management, particularly in emerging markets like Nigeria. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as a foundation, the study employed semi-structured interviews with thirteen product managers and conducted an inductive thematic analysis.Findings reveal a pragmatic view of AI as a supportive collaborator that enhances creativity and productivity. Three core themes emerged: Drivers of Adoption, Human-AI Partnership, and User Agency. While UTAUT explains much of the adoption behaviour, it does not fully capture the evolving stylisation users develop when interacting with AI. To address this, the study proposes User Agency as an extension to UTAUT, reflecting the user’s ability to influence and co-create with AI systems. This research contributes to understanding AI adoption in digital product management and offers insights for organisations aiming to integrate AI meaningfully into creative, knowledge-based roles.