KEY POINTS
- NNPCL plans to upgrade more than 900 retail stations with modern energy and digital facilities.
- Between 50 and 70 smart stations are expected to be delivered within six months.
- New stations will offer EV charging, solar power, LPG, CNG, self-service fuelling and other services.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, is set to modernise more than 900 retail stations across Nigeria by introducing solar power, electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities and digital self-service technology.
The company said the upgrade is part of its nationwide smart energy station programme, which is designed to transform conventional filling stations into broader energy and mobility hubs.
NNPCL Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mumuni Dagazau, disclosed the plan in Abuja during the commissioning of a technology-driven NNPC Retail smart station.
Dagazau said the company plans to deliver between 50 and 70 smart stations across the country within the next six months. About five of the facilities are already located in Abuja.
The broader plan is to modernise both existing and newly developed outlets within NNPC Retail’s network, which comprises more than 900 affiliate, mega, standard, leased, ultra-modern and floating stations.
The initiative represents a shift from the traditional fuel station model towards facilities that provide multiple energy and mobility services to consumers.
Stations to combine petrol, gas and electricity
The commissioned Abuja facility combines conventional petrol dispensing with EV charging, solar power generation, LPG services, automated car washing and digital self-service fuelling.
Dagazau described the new model as an energy hub where consumers can access different energy sources, including petrol, gas and electricity, at the same location.
The facility’s fast-charging EV infrastructure can reportedly charge a vehicle from about 20 per cent battery capacity to full capacity within 30 to 40 minutes. NNPC said details of the charging fees would be announced separately.
The company also plans to expand the range of services available at the smart stations as it rolls out the programme nationwide.
The smart station’s digital system will allow customers to purchase fuel through a mobile application without necessarily relying on manual transactions.
Dagazau said attendants would still be available to assist customers who are unfamiliar with self-service technology.
The Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, NNPC Ltd., Shettima Baba-Kukawa, said the Abuja facility would operate 24 hours a day.
He added that the station is expected to provide LPG dispensing, CNG infrastructure, a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, automated car wash and other customer-focused services.
The expanded offering is expected to make the facilities more than locations for buying petrol, with customers able to access several energy and convenience services during a single visit.
