The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced a major shift toward automation with plans to roll out 50 to 70 smart, self-service filling stations across the country within the next six months.

The disclosure was made by the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Limited, Mumuni Dagazau, during the unveiling of a flagship smart mega station in Abuja.

According to Dagazau, the initiative is a core component of a broader strategy to transition NNPCL’s conventional retail outlets into multi-functional energy and mobility hubs. The upgraded facilities will not only dispense petrol via automated self-service but will also feature electric vehicle (EV) charging ports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) points, and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations.

“We are hoping to roll out a significant number, probably about 50 to 70 of these types of stations within the next six months. So this is what you’ll be seeing going forward from NNPC,” Dagazau stated.

While the energy transition marks a significant technological leap for Nigeria`s downstream sector, it has sparked widespread anxiety among fuel station workers. Industry stakeholders fear the rapid deployment of unmanned pumps could trigger massive layoffs for petrol attendants, worsening the plight of citizens in a country already grappling with severe unemployment.