The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has launched its first smart self-service filling station in Abuja. The technology-driven facility operates from the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory.
NNPC also plans to establish between 50 and 70 similar stations across Nigeria within six months.The company says the project forms part of its plan to modernise fuel retailing nationwide. It also wants to transform conventional filling stations into broader energy and mobility centres. The new facility combines self-service fuel dispensing with electric vehicle charging and other customer services.
NNPC Downstream Executive Vice President Mumuni Dagazau disclosed the expansion plan after commissioning the facility. He described the Abuja outlet as the first of several smart stations planned across Nigeria. According to him, NNPC expects the new model to improve customer experience and expand access to modern energy services.
NNPC Plans 70 Smart Stations Across Nigeria
Dagazau said NNPC has already identified several locations for the smart station model. He disclosed plans for about four or five additional facilities in Abuja.The company also planned two more stations in Kano at the time of the launch.
However, NNPC wants to take the model beyond those cities.The company expects to establish between 50 and 70 smart stations within six months. Dagazau said customers should expect more technology-driven stations as NNPC expands the programme. He explained that the company no longer views filling stations as places for fuel alone.
Instead, NNPC wants them to function as integrated energy hubs. The new approach reflects changes in the country’s downstream petroleum market. It also responds to growing demand for convenience, digital payments and alternative energy services.
The development comes as Nigeria’s energy sector continues to embrace new technologies.The company has also faced public attention over petroleum-related issues in recent months. For instance, NNPC previously responded after an oil tanker carried 2,145kg of cannabis.
Smart Station Offers Self-Service Fuel Dispensing
The newly launched NNPC smart filling station has several features designed to improve customer convenience. The facility can store 180,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.It also has a 45,000-litre capacity for Automotive Gas Oil. The station has 16 petrol pumps and two diesel pumps.
Customers can also access six electric vehicle charging points at the facility.An automated car wash forms another part of the station’s services.The facility also includes a lubricant service bay and liquefied petroleum gas facilities.
NNPC plans to introduce compressed natural gas services at the location.The company also plans to establish a CNG vehicle conversion centre.These additions could give motorists access to multiple energy options at one location. The facility also runs on a solar power system with more than 200 kilowatt-hours of capacity.NNPC designed the station to operate around the clock.
Customers Can Dispense Fuel Themselves
The smart station introduces a different approach to buying fuel.Customers can make payments through the NNPC mobile application before dispensing fuel. They can also fund a digital wallet through the platform. After payment, the customer receives a code for the transaction. The system then allows the customer to dispense the exact quantity purchased.
This approach could reduce waiting times during busy periods. It could also give customers greater control over fuel purchases. However, customers who need assistance will not have to operate the system alone. Dagazau said attendants would remain available to help customers who cannot use the self-service technology. Therefore, the new system will combine automation with human assistance. The company expects this balance to make the transition easier for motorists.
NNPC Says Smart Stations Will Not Destroy Jobs
The introduction of self-service fuel dispensing has raised questions about employment.However, Dagazau rejected concerns that automation would lead to widespread job losses.He argued that the wider services within smart stations could create more employment opportunities.According to him, an energy hub requires more workers than a traditional filling station. Workers will support electric vehicle charging and other specialised services. Personnel will also handle vehicle services, customer support and other operations.The company expects the wider business model to create new roles.
Therefore, NNPC says automation will change the nature of some jobs rather than eliminate employment completely. This approach could become important as Nigeria expands its alternative energy infrastructure. The company also wants its modernisation programme to match changing customer expectations.
Electric Vehicle Owners Get Fast Charging Facility
The Abuja smart station also caters to electric vehicle owners. NNPC has installed six electric vehicle charging points at the facility. Dagazau said the chargers can provide relatively fast charging for compatible vehicles.A vehicle can move from about 20 per cent to full capacity within 30 to 40 minutes.
However, charging times can vary depending on the vehicle. The addition gives electric vehicle owners another charging location within Abuja. It also signals greater integration between conventional fuel retailing and emerging energy technologies. Nigeria’s transport sector continues to explore cleaner and more diverse energy sources.
The development could therefore support the gradual growth of electric mobility across the country. At the same time, NNPC plans to expand CNG services through the smart station model. That combination could give motorists more options as energy consumption patterns change.
NNPC Begins Modernisation of Existing Stations
Dagazau said NNPC’s modernisation programme would cover existing and new facilities.The company plans to upgrade some traditional filling stations.It will also develop new smart stations in strategic locations. He said customer expectations have influenced the decision to modernise the company’s retail network. According to him, motorists deserve faster and better services.The new facilities will therefore focus on convenience and service quality.NNPC also wants customers to access several services during one visit.
The approach could change how motorists use filling stations across major Nigerian cities.Rather than stopping only to buy petrol, customers could access several services.These could include vehicle maintenance, food, coffee, banking and alternative energy solutions.
NNPC Retail Highlights Changing Customer Expectations
The Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, Huub Stockman, also spoke at the event.He said the downstream petroleum industry has changed significantly in recent years.According to him, full deregulation has altered the operating environment. The commencement of operations at the Dangote refinery has also influenced the market.
Stockman said consumers now expect better value from fuel retailers.They want quality products, accurate quantities and competitive prices.Customers also want faster service and convenient digital payment options.Beyond fuel, motorists increasingly expect additional services at retail locations. These services can include restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores and banking facilities. Car washes and alternative energy solutions also feature among emerging customer demands.
NNPC Retail says it wants to respond to these changing expectations.The company plans to provide more convenient and sustainable energy solutions through its modernisation programme.
Immigration Service Partners NNPC on Smart Station
The new facility resulted from cooperation between NNPC and the Nigerian Immigration Service. NNPC Retail Operations Executive Shettima Baba-Kukawa explained the partnership. He said the Immigration Service provided land for the project. The partnership allows NNPC to expand its retail footprint in strategic locations.It also supports the company’s broader energy security objectives.Baba-Kukawa described the new facility as more than a conventional filling station.He called it a lifestyle and mobility hub.
The station will eventually include a quick-service restaurant and coffee shop. It will also feature an automated car wash and vehicle service bay.NNPC Retail partnered with African Motor Works for the electric vehicle charging facility. The partnership demonstrates how public institutions and private businesses can support new energy infrastructure. Similar collaborations could help NNPC expand the model faster across Nigeria.
Regulator Commends NNPC’s Energy Innovation
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority also welcomed the project. Mustapha Lamorde represented the NMDPRA Executive Director for Commercial and Operations, Rabiu Umar. Lamorde praised the combination of different services at the facility.He highlighted self-service fuel dispensing and electric vehicle charging. He also pointed to LPG services, automated car washing and vehicle maintenance.
According to him, these features show how technology continues to reshape Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry.He urged NNPC and its partners to sustain the initiative.Lamorde also called for wider deployment of the model across the country. However, he stressed the need to match innovation with safety. He also highlighted environmental responsibility as the company expands the concept. That balance will remain important as more technology enters Nigeria’s energy sector.
NIS Links Project to Jobs and Skills Development
Deputy Comptroller General for Finance and Accounts at the NIS, Saidu Daura, also praised the project.cDaura represented the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap.He congratulated NNPC on commissioning the smart station. Daura said combining electric vehicle charging with conventional fuel infrastructure reflects global energy trends.He linked the development to energy transition and climate action. He also described smart mobility as an important part of modern transport systems.
According to Daura, the project demonstrates the value of institutional collaboration.He said such partnerships can attract investment and create employment. They can also support skills transfer and sustainable economic development. The NIS official therefore encouraged more collaborations between government institutions and private sector operators.
Smart Filling Stations Could Reshape Fuel Retailing
The launch marks another step in the evolution of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. Traditional filling stations have mainly focused on dispensing petrol and diesel. The smart station model introduces a much broader business structure. Customers can access fuel, electric charging and vehicle services at one location. They can also use digital payment systems to complete transactions. NNPC wants to expand this model as consumer expectations continue to change. The planned rollout of up to 70 facilities could significantly increase access to these services.
However, the success of the programme will depend on reliable technology and consistent operations.Safety standards will also remain essential as NNPC introduces new energy services.The company must also ensure that customers understand how the self-service system.
NNPC Targets Wider Energy Transformation
NNPC’s new smart station represents more than an upgrade to fuel retailing.The company wants to create modern energy centres that serve multiple customer needs.The Abuja facility combines conventional fuel services with emerging energy technologies. Its solar power system also supports the company’s sustainability objectives. Electric vehicle charging provides another option for motorists.
CNG and LPG services could further diversify the energy choices available to consumers. The company plans to expand the model quickly across the country.If NNPC achieves its six-month target, dozens of smart stations could emerge nationwide.That expansion could change the way Nigerians interact with fuel stations. For now, the Abuja facility serves as the company’s first major step toward that wider transformation.
