The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced plans to deploy between 50 and 70 technology-driven energy stations across Nigeria within the next six months as part of efforts to modernise the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
The new facilities will move beyond the conventional filling-station model by integrating petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicle (EV) charging and other mobility and lifestyle services under one roof.
The Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Mumuni Dagazau, disclosed the plan in Abuja during the commissioning of a new smart station, describing the facility as the first in a planned nationwide rollout.
According to Dagazau, the initiative is designed to transform conventional filling stations into integrated “energy hubs” capable of meeting the changing needs of motorists and energy consumers.
“We are hoping to roll out a significant number, probably about 50 to 70 of these types of stations within the next six months,” he said.
He explained that the new model would combine petrol, gas and electricity services while allowing motorists to dispense fuel themselves, including at night.
The NNPC executive also dismissed concerns that the introduction of self-service technology could lead to significant job losses.
Rather, he argued that the broader range of services offered by the smart stations would create additional employment opportunities in areas such as EV charging, customer assistance, automated systems and facility management.
“What NNPC does is create jobs,” Dagazau said, adding that an energy hub could ultimately employ more people than a conventional filling station.
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The Abuja facility also introduces EV fast-charging infrastructure, capable of charging vehicles in approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle type and battery condition.
Dagazau said NNPC Retail would also modernise existing outlets nationwide to improve customer experience and service delivery.
“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 disclosed that additional smart stations were being planned for Abuja and Kano, with the model expected to expand to other parts of the country during the six-month implementation period.
The Executive Director, Retail Operations and Mobility, NNPC Ltd., Mr Shettima Baba-Kukawa, said the newly commissioned Abuja station has storage capacity for 180,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The station has 16 PMS pumps, two AGO pumps and six EV charging points installed in partnership with African Motor Works.
Baba-Kukawa added that the facility was powered entirely by solar energy through a system with a capacity exceeding 200 kilowatts, highlighting NNPC Retail’s attempt to integrate cleaner energy solutions into its downstream operations.
Beyond fuel and mobility services, the station is being developed as a lifestyle centre, with plans for a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, automated car wash and modern vehicle service bay.
LPG dispensing is also being incorporated, while CNG dispensing and a CNG vehicle-conversion centre are planned as part of the facility’s expansion.
Baba-Kukawa said the station would operate 24 hours a day and offer customers a fully self-service option.
Under the system, customers can use the NNPC Retail mobile application to create and fund a digital wallet, generate a transaction code and dispense the exact quantity of fuel purchased.
However, customers who are unable or unwilling to use the digital platform will continue to receive assistance from station personnel.
The rollout marks a significant shift in NNPC Retail’s strategy, as the company seeks to reposition its stations from traditional fuel outlets into multi-energy and mobility centres capable of supporting Nigeria’s emerging transition towards gas and electric mobility.