Strategic Human Resource Management and Competitive Advantage in Nigerian Commercial Banks: A Study of First Bank Plc

This study explores the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices and competitive advantage in First Bank of Nigeria Plc, with data drawn from the bank's operations in Lagos and Abuja. As Nigerian commercial banks face intensifying competition from fintech disruptors and pan-African banking groups, the strategic deployment of human capital has become a differentiating factor. A professional practice-oriented research design was adopted, combining document analysis with structured interviews involving 60 senior HR professionals and line managers. The study applies the Resource-Based View and Ulrich's SHRM Partnership Model as primary theoretical anchors. Findings reveal that First Bank branches where HR is positioned as a strategic business partner, with HR managers actively participating in business planning cycles, achieve stronger performance indicators including customer acquisition rates, staff retention scores, and innovation uptake. The study further identifies a persistent operational HR burden, where administrative tasks consume an estimated 70 percent of HR professionals' time, limiting their capacity for strategic contribution. Recommendations include reengineering HR operating models through shared service centres, deploying HRIS automation to free strategic capacity, and formally incorporating HR metrics into board-level performance reporting. This study provides actionable professional guidance for bank HR directors, organizational development consultants, and executive education programs focused on strategic HRM in Nigeria's financial services sector. Keywords: strategic HRM, competitive advantage, commercial banks, First Bank, Nigeria