Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) adoption across selected Nigerian states, focusing on regional patterns, driving factors, and perceived barriers. As Nigeria seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependency on petrol and diesel, CNG has emerged as a viable alternative fuel. However, its adoption remains uneven across regions. A quantitative research design was employed using structured questionnaires administered to 400 stakeholders, out of which 374 valid responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, One-Way ANOVA, and Multiple Linear Regression were used to test the research hypotheses. Findings revealed significant regional differences in CNG adoption patterns, attributed to disparities in infrastructure, policy implementation, and stakeholder awareness. The study also identified key drivers that significantly influence CNG adoption, including cost savings (β = 0.392, p = 0.000), environmental benefits (β = 0.281, p = 0.000), policy incentives (β = 0.218, p =0.001), public awareness (β = 0.264, p = 0.000), and fuel availability (β = 0.317, p = 0.000). Conversely, vehicle conversion cost had a negative but significant impact (β = -0.201, p = 0.001). Furthermore, perceived barriers such as inadequate refueling infrastructure, high conversion costs, inconsistent policies, and lack of technical expertise were found to hinder widespread
adoption. The study concludes that while CNG presents economic and environmental benefits, its successful adoption depends on strategic infrastructural, policy, and public awareness interventions. It recommends nationwide infrastructure development, vehicle conversion subsidies, regulatory consistency, and improved stakeholder education to accelerate CNG adoption across Nigeria.