The Arewa Youth Council (AYC) has applauded the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, over the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Smart Self-Service Filling Station in Abuja.
The Council also welcomed plans to establish between 50 and 70 similar modern energy hubs across the country within the next six months, describing the initiative as a major transformation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum retail sector.
In a statement signed by its Ambassador, Sidi Sani, and Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bilal Usman, the Council said the project mark a shift from conventional filling stations to integrated energy and mobility hubs combining fuel dispensing with digital and multi-energy services.
According to the Council, the smart stations featured self-service fuel dispensing through a mobile application, digital payment systems, electric vehicle charging points, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facilities, planned compressed natural gas (CNG) services, solar-powered operations and other customer amenities.
It said the model prioritises convenience, accuracy, transparency and round-the-clock accessibility, describing the initiative as a decisive move towards technology-enabled energy retailing in Nigeria.
The Council said the programme could strengthen national energy security while modernising service delivery and positioning the country for a multi-energy future involving petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG and electricity.
It noted that motorists, commercial transporters and households stand to benefit from shorter queues, greater control over transactions and improved reliability in product delivery.
The youth body added that digital self-service options could minimise disputes over product quantity and enhance accountability, while the inclusion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure anticipates the gradual expansion of cleaner mobility options.
It also pointed to the use of solar power as a means of reducing operational dependence on the national grid.
“These stations will deliver a more efficient, modern, and dignified retail experience for ordinary Nigerians,” the Council said.
At the national level, the Council observed that the programme could support the expansion and modernisation of NNPC Limited’s retail network of about 900 outlets.
It said the transformation could deepen market presence, create new value chains and generate opportunities in technology support, infrastructure maintenance and customer service.
The Council also maintained that the new model would not necessarily displace workers, but could instead evolve existing roles and introduce new skill requirements, contributing to employment opportunities across the sector.
“We specifically commend Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari for the strategic leadership that has made this possible,” the Council said.
It added that since assuming office, Ojulari had demonstrated what it described as a consistent commitment to performance, institutional reform and national interest.
The Council noted that the Smart Self-Service Station initiative represents a tangible expression of that leadership, describing it as “practical, measurable, and citizen-focused.”
While acknowledging NNPC Limited’s activities in upstream operations, gas development and organisational efficiency, the Council said it chose to focus on the downstream innovation because of its direct impact on the daily lives of Nigerians.
It stressed that energy remains central to economic activity and household wellbeing, making the drive to improve retail efficiency, transparency and multi-energy services a matter of national importance.
The Arewa Youth Council therefore urged an accelerated and inclusive nationwide rollout of the smart stations, with deliberate attention to northern and underserved regions.
It also called on state governments, private-sector partners and technology providers to support the expansion.
The Council stressed that continuous refinement of the customer experience and structured training for personnel supporting the new systems would be essential to the long-term success of the programme.
It congratulated Ojulari, the management and staff of NNPC Limited and NNPC Retail, as well as all collaborating partners, on the initiative.
