Adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Nigerian Commercial Banks: Management Challenges and Organisational Outcomes

Enterprise resource planning systems represent transformative investments for financial institutions seeking to integrate operational processes, yet their adoption in Nigerian commercial banking environments faces distinctive managerial and contextual challenges. This study examines the adoption of enterprise resource planning systems in selected commercial banks operating in Lagos, South West Nigeria, the country's financial hub. Using a descriptive survey design, structured questionnaires were administered to 180 IT managers, operations supervisors, and branch administrators across eight commercial banks. The research investigated adoption drivers including regulatory compliance pressure, competitive differentiation imperatives, and operational efficiency goals, as well as barriers such as high implementation costs, vendor support limitations, and staff resistance to process change. Findings indicate that 65 percent of respondents reported that ERP implementation timelines exceeded initial projections by more than six months, and that insufficient training accounted for the majority of post-go-live productivity dips. The study also identifies a positive relationship between executive leadership sponsorship and ERP implementation success. Drawing on the Technology-Organisation-Environment framework, the research proposes a contextualised adoption readiness model applicable to Nigerian banking institutions. Managerial recommendations include phased module rollout strategies and the establishment of dedicated ERP change management units within HR departments. Keywords: enterprise resource planning, commercial banks, technology adoption, Lagos, change management.