The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd., has announced plans to deploy between 50 and 70 smart, self-service energy stations across the country within the next six months.
The company said the initiative was part of its strategy to transform conventional filling stations into modern energy and mobility hubs offering petrol, electric vehicle, EV, charging, liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, compressed natural gas, CNG, car wash and food services.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the commissioning of a technology-driven smart station, the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Mumuni Dagazau, said the facility was the first of several smart stations planned nationwide.
According to him, the new model is designed to provide customers with greater convenience by integrating different energy sources and services in one location.
“We are hoping to roll out a significant number, probably about 50 to 70 of these types of stations within the next six months. So this is what you’ll be seeing going forward from NNPCL.
“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,” he said.
Dagazau said the stations would integrate petrol, gas and electricity, while allowing customers to dispense fuel themselves, including at night.
He, however, dismissed concerns that the self-service model could lead to job losses, saying attendants and other personnel would remain available to assist customers and operate the technology-driven facilities.
“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 will find more people in the energy hub than you will find in the filling stations,” Dagazau said.
He added that the facilities would require personnel to manage automation, EV charging and other services.
On electric vehicle charging, Dagazau said the Abuja facility had fast chargers capable of charging an EV in about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle and battery level.
He said NNPC was also targeting the modernisation of its existing stations as part of the broader transformation of NNPC Retail.
“We are going to modernise our stations. The customer deserves a better quality of service and we are delivering that quality of service,” he said.
He added that the facilities would require personnel to manage automation, EV charging and other services.
On electric vehicle charging, Dagazau said the Abuja facility had fast chargers capable of charging an EV in about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle and battery level.
He said NNPC was also targeting the modernisation of its existing stations as part of the broader transformation of NNPC Retail.
“We are going to modernise our stations. The customer deserves a better quality of service and we are delivering that quality of service,” he said.
Dagazau disclosed that additional smart stations were being planned for Abuja and Kano, with a significant number expected to be deployed across the country within six months.
The Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, NNPC Ltd., Mr Shettima Baba-Kukawa, said the Abuja facility had a storage capacity of 180,000 litres for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and 45,000 litres for Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
He said the station had 16 PMS pumps and two AGO pumps, while six EV charging points had been installed in partnership with African Motor Works.
According to him, the facility is fully powered by solar energy through a system with a capacity of more than 200 kilowatts.
Baba-Kukawa said the company was developing the facility as a lifestyle and mobility hub, with plans for a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, automated car wash and modern service bay.
He added that LPG dispensing was being incorporated, while plans were underway to introduce CNG and a CNG conversion centre.
“The station is going to run 24 hours. And it is fully self-service. So for customers that want to trust themselves and dispense themselves, they can actually do that. Transactions are done on their phone app and concluded by dispensing the exact amount of fuel they purchased into their tanks,” he said.
Baba-Kukawa explained that customers using the self-service facility would need to download the NNPC Retail app, create and fund a wallet, and generate a code authorising them to dispense the quantity of fuel purchased.
He, however, said customers who were unable to operate the digital system would not be excluded, as staff would be available to assist them.
The Managing Director, NNPC Retail, Huub Stokman, said the transformation had become necessary as the downstream petroleum industry continued to evolve following deregulation and the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery.
Stokman said consumers increasingly wanted quality products, competitive prices, faster service and additional offerings at retail outlets.
He said customers were also demanding new energy solutions, including EV charging and CNG, as well as digital payment options and more sustainable operations.
“Above all, especially the younger generation, they want us to deliver it in a sustainable way, hence the fact that you also see that this station is completely solar-powered,” Stokman said.
He said NNPC Retail would continue to invest in technology, partnerships and new energy solutions to meet changing consumer expectations.
Baba-Kukawa said the company was developing the facility as a lifestyle and mobility hub, with plans for a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, automated car wash and modern service bay.
