The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced plans to deploy between 50 and 70 smart, self-service energy stations across Nigeria within the next six months.
The Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Limited, Mumuni Dagazau, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the commissioning of a new technology-driven mega station located along Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, Abuja.
Dagazau explained that the new facilities represent a shift from conventional filling stations to modern energy hubs.
“We are hoping to roll out a significant number, probably about 50 to 70 of these types of stations within the next six months. This is the first of many smart stations that we are going to have around the country. What the whole concept is, we are trying to turn from a filling station to an energy hub,” Dagazau said.
The Abuja flagship station features a storage capacity of 180,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). It is equipped with 16 PMS pumps, two AGO pumps, and six EV charging points installed in partnership with African Motor Works. The entire facility is powered by a solar energy system with a capacity exceeding 200 kilowatts and will operate 24 hours a day.
Customers will have the option of self-service refuelling through the NNPC Retail mobile application. Users will download the app, fund a digital wallet, generate a code, and dispense the exact quantity of fuel purchased. Attendants will remain on site to assist customers who prefer traditional service or are unable to use the digital platform.
Addressing concerns that the self-service model could lead to job losses, Dagazau firmly dismissed the notion.
“What NNPC does is create jobs. What this does is create jobs. You have an energy hub today. If you look at the average filling station and you look at the energy hub, you’ll find more people in the energy hub than you would find in the filling stations. Somebody has to support the integration. Somebody has to support automation. EVs, we have to be here to support people. So nothing really changes for us,” he stated.
He emphasised that the expanded range of services including automation support, EV charging assistance, and additional customer amenities would require more personnel than traditional stations.
The Managing Director of NNPC Retail, Huub Stokman, noted that the modernisation drive is in response to rapid changes in Nigeria’s downstream sector following deregulation and the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery.