Google has broadened the capabilities of its artificial intelligence powered Search tools in Nigeria by introducing support for Yorùbá and Hausa, two of the country’s most widely spoken indigenous languages.
The update allows users to interact with Google’s AI search features in their local languages, making it easier to receive summaries, explanations, and answers generated by artificial intelligence. Nigerians can now ask questions in Yorùbá or Hausa using either text or voice and receive responses in the same language.
The feature is available through AI Overviews and AI Mode, tools designed to provide conversational responses and concise summaries directly within Google Search. By incorporating these languages, Google aims to make its AI-driven search experience more accessible to millions of Nigerians who prefer using indigenous languages online.
According to Google, the upgrade is powered by a specialized version of its Gemini AI model integrated into Search. The system combines reasoning and multimodal capabilities to better interpret queries and deliver contextually relevant answers rather than relying on simple translation.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, said the development reflects the company’s commitment to ensuring that its advanced technologies work effectively in local environments.
He explained that building a truly global search engine requires a deep understanding of regional languages and cultural context, noting that the new expansion allows Nigerians to communicate naturally with Search in their mother tongues.
The rollout also forms part of a wider effort to expand support for African languages within Google’s AI ecosystem. With the addition of Yorùbá and Hausa, the number of African languages supported by the company’s AI search tools has risen to 13.
Other languages currently supported include Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu.
Users can access the new capability by opening the Google Search app on Android or iOS devices or by using the web version of the search engine and switching to AI Mode before asking their questions.
Google says the initiative is part of its broader mission to make artificial intelligence tools more inclusive, culturally relevant, and useful for diverse communities across Africa.
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