The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is set to introduce between 50 and 70 smart self-service filling stations across Nigeria within the next six months as part of efforts to modernise its retail operations and transform conventional filling stations into multi-energy hubs.
The Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPCL, Dr Mumuni Dagazau, disclosed this on Thursday during the commissioning of NNPC Retail Limited’s smart mega fuelling station in Abuja.
The facility, located along Bill Clinton Drive on Airport Road, between the Flight Training School and the Nigerian Immigration Service Headquarters, represents the first of several smart stations planned under the new model.
According to Dagazau, four or five additional smart stations are expected to be established in Abuja, while two others will be inaugurated in Kano.
“We are hoping to roll out a significant number, between 50 and 70 of these types of stations within the next six months. So, this is what you’ll be seeing going forward from NNPC,” he said.
From Filling Stations to Energy Hubs
Dagazau explained that the new concept was designed around changing customer needs and technological developments.
He said the facilities would provide customers with access to different forms of energy and a range of automotive services under one roof.
“It is a centre where you can access different forms of energy, including EV, electricity, gas and petrol. So, we are turning from a filling station to an energy hub,” he said.
The Abuja smart mega station has a storage capacity of 180,000 litres for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 45,000 litres for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
It is equipped with 16 PMS dispensing pumps and two AGO pumps, while customers can dispense fuel themselves and make payments through the NNPC Retail mobile application.
EV Charging, CNG, LPG and Other Services
Beyond conventional fuel sales, the new smart stations will offer a variety of services, including electric vehicle (EV) charging, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dispensing, lubricants, automated car washing and vehicle servicing.
The Abuja facility also features fast EV charging stations capable of fully charging some vehicles within 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle type and battery level.
Dagazau said customers would be able to access the services at any time, including during the night, making the facilities more convenient for motorists.
Self-Service Will Not Eliminate Jobs
The NNPCL executive also dismissed concerns that the introduction of self-service technology would lead to significant job losses.
According to him, workers will remain necessary to assist customers, manage automated systems, support EV charging operations and provide other services at the facilities.
“What we are doing is creating jobs. Somebody has to support the integration and automation, while personnel are also needed to support customers using the EV facilities,” he said.
He added that the major change would be in how services are delivered, with greater emphasis on customer convenience, comfort and efficiency.
Customers will require the NNPC Retail mobile application to use the self-service facility. However, Dagazau said the application would be free to download and customers who are unable to operate it would receive assistance from station personnel.
NNPCL Plans Upgrade of Existing Stations
As part of the broader modernisation programme, NNPCL also plans to upgrade some of its existing filling stations.
Dagazau explained that new smart stations would be developed in locations where there is sufficient customer demand.
The Abuja facility is powered by a 200-kilowatt-hour solar system, highlighting the company’s interest in expanding the use of renewable energy across its retail network.
He said NNPCL could no longer ignore technological advancement and changing customer expectations.
“We cannot ignore innovation and technology and leave our stations the way they have always been. In the next few years, most NNPC stations will look like this,” he said.
CNG Conversion Facilities Planned
Dagazau further disclosed that plans were underway to establish CNG vehicle conversion facilities at selected smart stations.
The facilities would enable motorists to convert their vehicles to CNG while accessing other energy and automotive services at the same location.
The planned rollout marks a major shift in NNPCL’s retail strategy, with the company seeking to evolve its conventional filling stations into integrated energy and mobility centres that combine fuel, gas, electricity, vehicle services and digital technology.
