Use and Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Tools among Clinical Medical Students in Selected Nigerian Universities: A Multi-Institutional Survey.

Background

AI tools are increasingly used in medical education for learning, clinical reasoning, and examination preparation, but there is limited data from Nigeria.

Aim

To examine AI use and attitudes among Nigerian medical students to inform policy.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among medical students in three Nigerian medical schools from December 2025 to February 2026. The questionnaire covered demographics, awareness, and use of AI tools, perceived benefits and risks, attitudes toward integration, and barriers to adoption. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze data.

Results

A total of 328 responses were received. Respondents demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward AI use, although concerns regarding accuracy, academic integrity, and regulation were identified. 53.8% were males, (70.8%) aged 20-24, (55.7%) fourth-year students, and (43.1%) from the University of Nigeria. Smartphones (94.5%) and ChatGPT (98.2%) were mostly used. AI was useful for understanding difficult concepts (92.9%), self-directed learning (83.1%), and saving study time (81.2%). Concerns included misinformation (75.1%), academic dishonesty (60.7%), and reduced critical thinking (47.4%). Barriers included subscriptions (71.4%), poor connectivity (69.2%), and high data costs (66.8%). There was no statistically significant association between AI use and level of study ( P = 0.78), age group ( P = 0.12), and gender ( P = 0.82).

Conclusion

AI tools are widely adopted by medical students in Nigeria without clear guidelines for use, despite concerns regarding accuracy, dependence, and academic integrity. Curricula integration, along with clear guidelines and training, is recommended for responsible use.