ASSESSING INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) ADOPTION READINESS INPASSENGER TRANSPORT: A QUANTITATIVE SURVEY OFSTAKEHOLDERS IN OWERRI, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluates Internet of Things (IoT) adoption readiness in the passenger transport system of
Owerri, Nigeria, using a cross-sectional survey of 260 transport stakeholders (commuters, operators,
officials). The assessment examined awareness, perceived benefits, barriers, and willingness to adopt IoT
solutions. Stakeholders demonstrated moderate-to-high loT awareness (M = 3.76/5, d = 0.90). IoT
utilization significantly predicted perceived transport efficiency (R2 = 0.427, ß = 0.65, p < 0.001). High
implementation costs (M = 4.15) and limited digital literacy (M = 4.08) were identified as primary barriers,
confirmed by chi-square test (x2 = 96.32, p < 0.001, V = 0.43). Willingness to adopt IoT was strong (M =
4.13, d = 1.43) despite low current usage. The findings indicate that attitudinal resistance is not the primary
barrier; rather, infrastructural, financial, and institutional deficits constrain adoption. This study provides
the first empirical baseline on IoT readiness in a mid-sized Nigerian city dominated by informal transport,
and offers a replicable assessment framework. Recommendations include public-private partnerships for
digital infrastructure, financial incentives for operators, targeted digital literacy programmes, and pilot
IoT demonstrations.