The study investigated Awareness and Perceived Benefits as Determinants of Artificial Intelligence Use among University Researchers in Katsina State, Nigeria, focusing on the level of awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies among researchers in universities in Katsina State, examining the level of use of AI tools among the researchers, and identifying the perceived benefits of using AI tools in their research activities. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to collect data from academic staff in public universities in Katsina State, with a population drawn from FUDMA, UMYUK, and FUT Daura and a sample size of 500 selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire developed from relevant literature and measured on a Likert scale was used as the research instrument, with validity confirmed through expert review and a Content Validity Index of 0.871 indicating high reliability. Data were collected with the assistance of research assistants and library staff. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 with descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. The findings of researchers in Katsina State universities show a moderate level of awareness and use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with higher familiarity and adoption of basic applications like ChatGPT, Grammarly, DeepSeek, Scholarcy, and Mendeley, while awareness and use of advanced systems such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and expert systems remain low. They mainly use AI tools for writing support, literature review, and information retrieval, but underutilize complex tools like IBM Watson, KNIME, Weka, and Azure ML, indicating limited engagement with advanced data analysis applications. Based on the findings, it is recommended that regular practical training, workshops and seminars based on basic and advanced AI tools should be organized periodically by universities to enhance the awareness and technical competence of researchers and policies of the institutions must incorporate the use of AI tools into the research processes and academic activities, including the use of AI tools in courses of research methodology and in supervision practice.