Abstract

This study examines the influence of digital management systems on institutional planning effectiveness in three public universities in Edo State, Nigeria — the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, and Edo State University Uzairue (EDSUZ). Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and organizational change theories, the research adopts a mixed methods sequential explanatory design. The population of the study consisted of approximately 1,260 staff from central planning units, faculty and departmental planning committees and academic staff involved in strategic planning committees and administrative staff engaged in planning, decision-making, and digital management across the three public universities. A sample of 562 respondents was drawn using stratified random sampling. Two primary instruments - Digital Management Systems Index (DMSI) and Planning Effectiveness Scale (PES) were developed and used for data collection. Reliability analyses revealed strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.89 for the DMSI and 0.91 for the PES, exceeding the recommended threshold of 0.70. the quantitative data collected from 562 administrators and academic staff were analyzed using structural equation modeling, while in depth interviews with senior planners provided interpretive richness. Results indicate that digital management systems significantly enhance data quality, decision making timeliness, coordination, and planning responsiveness. However, persistent barriers such as infrastructure deficits and low digital literacy constrain full effectiveness. Implications for policy, strategic management, and digital governance are discussed and it was recommended that the university management team should adopt institutional policies that integrate digital strategies into planning, budgeting, and operational functions.