The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited plans to expand its Smart Self-Service Station model across the country following the launch of its first facility in Abuja.

NNPC Limited Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in an interview on the company’s new technology-driven retail initiative.

The first Smart Self-Service Station was launched by NNPC Retail, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, as part of efforts to modernise fuel retailing and provide customers with a more convenient way to access energy products.

Ojulari said the facility was designed as a test of the new model, allowing the company to assess its performance and make improvements before expanding it to other locations.

He said the nationwide rollout would be carried out in phases, taking into consideration customer demand, the suitability of each location, available infrastructure and the energy products that can be provided.

According to him, the company is focused on expanding the initiative carefully rather than rushing the process.

The Smart Station combines self-service fuel dispensing with digital payment systems and other energy options, including electric vehicle charging, liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas.

Ojulari said the initiative forms part of NNPC Limited’s broader transformation programme, which aims to make its retail operations more technology-driven, efficient and responsive to customers.

He added that the system would incorporate real-time monitoring of transactions and equipment to improve operational efficiency and help identify problems quickly.

Measures have also been introduced to ensure accurate fuel dispensing, secure digital payments and proper pricing, with maintenance and customer-support systems expected to complement the technology.

Ojulari said customer feedback would be important to the development of the stations, as NNPC plans to use information from the Abuja facility to improve the model before wider deployment.

He said the company’s objective was to ensure that customers receive a convenient and transparent service while maintaining confidence in the accuracy of transactions.

The NNPC boss also linked the project to the company’s efforts to respond to changing energy needs, particularly as alternative fuels and electric mobility become more prominent in the Nigerian energy market.

He said the expansion would ultimately depend on the outcome of the initial deployment and the readiness of locations across the country.