Optimus AI Labs, an indigenous technology firm, is ramping up its focus on enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer support and service delivery across Nigeria’s financial services industry.

Speaking in Lagos, CEO and Co-Founder Lanre Basamta said the company has spent the last two years developing AI-driven tools for banks, fintechs, microfinance institutions, and other financial service providers. The mission is to boost efficiency, improve customer experience, and foster trust in Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem.

At the heart of Optimus AI Labs’ offerings is an AI-powered support system designed to tackle long customer-service wait times. Basamta noted that some customers currently wait 40–50 minutes to reach a human agent, a challenge for banks with millions of users.

The system leverages natural language interaction to handle queries, resolve issues in real time, escalate unresolved complaints, and even recommend relevant financial products, effectively functioning as a “digital salesperson.” It also helps financial institutions comply with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fraud resolution rules, enabling faster, structured responses within the mandated 14-day timeframe.

Originally focused on small businesses like schools, Optimus AI Labs shifted attention to the financial sector, which presents a larger opportunity for AI deployment at scale.

Beyond Nigeria, the company is building an international presence, collaborating with Canadian partners on projects such as a digital learning platform for a major dental group. Basamta said these efforts highlight the global competitiveness of Nigerian-built AI solutions.

The company recently moved into an office previously occupied by fintech lender Kuda, a move symbolic of its growth ambitions. Basamta emphasized that the expansion reflects rising demand for enterprise AI and Optimus AI Labs’ goal of becoming a key player in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

He thanked partners and supporters, noting that “big things can emerge from small beginnings when powered by AI’s transformative capabilities.”