Abuja: The NNPC Retail Ltd. has unveiled a fully smart, 24-hour self-service fuelling station designed for faster, transparent fuelling experience, volume accuracy, customer trust, direct control, and energy security. The station, located along Bill Clinton Drive, Airport Road, between the Flight Training School and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters, Abuja, was commissioned on Thursday with live forecourt demonstrations.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the newly commissioned smart station offers a 180,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) storage capacity, self-service fuel dispensing, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dispensing, automated car wash, and vehicle service facility. Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., noted that the project marked another milestone in NNPC Retail’s drive to improve customer experience through technology and innovation.
Dr. Dagazau emphasized that NNPC Ltd. will continue to invest in technology and strategic partnerships as Nigeria’s energy needs and customer expectations evolve. “We are embracing the future of energy retail; a future that is smarter, more convenient, technology-driven, and customer-focused,” he said. The facility was developed through collaboration between NNPC Retail and the NIS to expand the company’s footprint and enhance energy security.
Mr. Shettima Baba-Kukawa, Executive Director, Retail Operations, NNPC Retail Ltd., highlighted that the station also had a 45,000-litre Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) capacity, with 16 pumps for PMS and two pumps for AGO dispensing. According to him, the station is designed as an energy and mobility hub rather than a conventional filling station, with plans underway to introduce CNG facilities at the station.
Baba-Kukawa added that NNPC Retail had partnered with African Motor Works to deploy six-point EV charging facilities at the station, which is fully powered by solar energy with a solar system of more than 200 kilowatts. “The station will operate 24 hours daily and offer self-service fuel dispensing to customers through the NNPC Retail mobile application,” he explained.
Earlier, Mr. Huub Stokman, Managing Director, NNPC Retail Ltd., stated that the downstream petroleum industry was changing rapidly following full deregulation and the commencement of operations by the Dangote Refinery. Stokman mentioned that the changing industry required operators to respond to evolving consumer expectations by providing quality products, reliable services, and competitive prices.
Stokman also noted additional services, including restaurants, convenience shops, coffee shops, banking services, and car washes at filling stations. He said younger consumers were increasingly demanding sustainable energy solutions, hence the decision to power the new station entirely with solar energy. “This is an important step along that journey, with much more to come in the future,” he concluded.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging service costs N400 per kilowatt-hour, with a full recharge requiring up to 40 kilowatt-hours, depending on the vehicle. A fully charged EV can travel between 410 kilometres and 700 kilometres before requiring another recharge.