Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Accounting Practice of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This study investigates the effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the accounting practices of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria, focusing on its influence on efficiency, accuracy, fraud detection, and financial decision-making. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to professional accountants, auditors, and finance staff in selected listed manufacturing companies. Out of 150 questionnaires distributed, 130 were returned and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques such as regression and Chi-square tests with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings reveal that AI adoption among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria is moderate but steadily increasing. The study shows that AI significantly enhances accounting efficiency, improves the accuracy of financial reporting, strengthens fraud detection mechanisms, and supports strategic decision-making. Despite these benefits, challenges such as high implementation costs, shortage of skilled personnel, inadequate technological infrastructure, and resistance to change hinder wider adoption. The study concludes that AI is a transformative technology capable of modernizing accounting practices in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. It recommends that firms invest more in AI technologies, provide continuous training for accounting professionals, collaborate with government on supportive policies, and adopt phased implementation strategies to fully harness the potential of AI in financial management.