KEY POINTS
- NNPC commissions its first Smart Self-Service Station in Abuja.
- The facility offers digital payments, EV charging, LPG and CNG.
- Nationwide rollout is expected to happen in phases after testing the model.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, has begun rolling out a technology-driven approach to fuel retailing with the commissioning of its first Smart Self-Service Station in Abuja.
The facility, operated through NNPC Retail, allows customers to access fuel through a self-service model while using digital payment options. It also brings together other energy services, including electric vehicle (EV) charging, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).
The initiative is part of NNPC Ltd’s wider effort to modernise its retail operations, improve efficiency and provide customers with a more convenient way to purchase energy products.
NNPC Ltd Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, said the Smart Self-Service Station represents a practical step in the company’s culture transformation programme.
According to him, the transformation strategy is built around four pillars: an enterprise-first mindset, execution excellence, profitable growth and becoming a partner of choice.
The smart station is intended to translate those principles into a customer-facing service by using technology to simplify fuel purchases and improve the overall experience at filling stations.
Ojulari said changing consumer expectations were also influencing the company’s approach, as customers increasingly demand services that are convenient, accessible and transparent.
He described the project as more than the introduction of another filling station, saying it represents an attempt to rethink how Nigerians interact with energy retailers.
By combining automated fuelling, digital payments and multiple energy options at one location, NNPC is seeking to create a more integrated retail model that can adapt to changes in the energy market.
Station combines fuel with emerging energy options
One of the key features of the Smart Self-Service Station is its inclusion of energy options beyond conventional petrol and diesel retailing.
The facility provides EV charging infrastructure alongside LPG and CNG services, reflecting the growing range of fuels and technologies being adopted by consumers and businesses.
NNPC said the combination is intended to give customers greater choice as energy consumption patterns change.
The company also sees the model as a way of preparing its retail network for future developments in the energy industry rather than focusing exclusively on traditional petroleum products.
NNPC said technology will play a central role in monitoring transactions, equipment performance and other operations at the smart station.
Real-time monitoring is expected to help the company identify operational problems and respond more quickly when issues arise.
The system is also designed to support accurate pricing and fuel dispensing, with controls and calibration measures incorporated into the station’s operations.
Digital payments form another important part of the model. NNPC said attention is being given to securing electronic transactions as more consumers adopt cashless payment methods.
The company, however, acknowledged that technology alone will not guarantee a reliable customer experience.
It said proper maintenance, customer support and continuous monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the systems remain effective.
Customer feedback and operational data will also be used to identify problems and make improvements.
