Intelligent Systems and Management Accounting: An Exploratory Analysis of System Adaptability and Budgeting Effectiveness in Nigeria oil and Gas Firms

The Nigerian oil and gas sector has increasingly adopted intelligent systems to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making. Despite this trend, empirical research on the effectiveness of these systems, particularly the role of system adaptability in management accounting, remains limited. This study examines the influence of intelligent systems’ adaptability on budgeting effectiveness in three Nigerian oil and gas firms: TotalEnergies Nigeria Plc, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, and Seplat Energy Plc. An ex post facto research design was employed, utilizing secondary data from audited financial statements and management reports from 2018 to 2024. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship (r = 0.812) between system adaptability and budgeting effectiveness. Regression results indicate that system adaptability has a statistically significant positive effect on budgeting effectiveness (β = 0.523, p = 0.001), explaining 66.2% of its variation. The study concludes that the adaptability of intelligent systems is a critical driver of budgeting accuracy, timeliness, and resource allocation efficiency. It is recommended that firms in the sector prioritize the adoption and enhancement of adaptive intelligent systems and train staff to leverage these capabilities for improved strategic financial management.