Artificial Intelligence Literacy Among Business Education Graduates and Its Implications for Future Workforce Competitiveness in Nigeria

This study investigated the level of artificial intelligence literacy among Business Education graduates in Nigeria and its implications for their competitive positioning in the future workforce. Artificial intelligence is restructuring virtually every sector of the global economy, creating unprecedented demand for workers who can understand, use, and strategically leverage AI tools. For Business Education graduates, who are trained for roles in commerce, administration, and entrepreneurship, AI literacy represents a new and critically important competency frontier. Grounded in the Technology Literacy Theory, the Human Capital Theory, and the Future of Work Framework, a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was adopted. Phase one surveyed 1,200 Business Education graduates from institutions across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria using a validated AI Literacy Assessment Instrument comprising cognitive, operational, and ethical AI literacy dimensions. Phase two conducted twenty focus group discussions with graduates, employers, and faculty to explain quantitative findings. Multiple regression and thematic analysis were employed for respective phases. Findings reveal critically low AI literacy levels among graduates, with only 8 percent demonstrating functional AI tool usage competence. Graduates from private universities in the South West showed significantly higher AI literacy than peers from other zones and institution types. The qualitative findings reveal structural curriculum neglect, limited faculty AI knowledge, and inadequate digital infrastructure as root causes. The study makes an original contribution by mapping AI literacy disparities in Business Education and recommends a national AI literacy curriculum injection strategy for Nigerian Business Education programmes. Keywords: artificial intelligence literacy, Business Education graduates, future workforce, Nigeria, technology literacy