Arewa youths praise NNNPCL boss Ojulari on the launch of Pioneer smart self-service station in Nigeria

Arewa youths praise NNNPCL boss Ojulari on the launch of Pioneer smart self-service station in Nigeria

From our journalist

Abuja (Core Reporters) The Arewa Youth Council (AYC) has commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Eng. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, following the commissioning of Nigeria’s first smart self-service filling station in Abuja.

The youth body also welcomed the clear plan to establish between 50 and 70 similar modern energy centers across the country within the next six months.

In a statement, Ambassador Sidi Sani and Publicity Secretary Mallam Bilal Usman, the Council described the project as a progressive transformation of the nation’s petroleum retail sector.

He noted that traditional fueling stations are transforming into integrated energy and mobility hubs that combine fuel delivery with digital and multi-energy services.

“This initiative marks a significant and progressive transformation of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum retail sector,” the Council said.

“Converting traditional fueling stations into integrated energy and mobility hubs, NNPC Limited has introduced self-service fuel distribution through a mobile application, digital payment systems, electric vehicle charging points, liquefied petroleum gas facilities, planned compressed natural gas services, solar power operations and complementary customer services.

“The model prioritizes convenience, accuracy, transparency and 24-hour accessibility,” the statement adds.

“For Nigeria, the Smart Station program represents a decisive step towards technology-based energy retailing.”

The Arewa Youth Council highlighted that the program strengthens national energy security while modernizing service delivery.

The initiative enables the country to meet changing consumer demands and prepare for a multi-energy future that includes petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG and electricity.

The direct benefits for citizens were highlighted as practical and immediate. According to the Council, motorists, commercial transporters and families will benefit from shorter queues, greater control over transactions and more reliable product delivery.

“Motorists, commercial transporters and families will experience reduced wait times, greater control over transactions and greater reliability in product delivery,” the statement said.

“Digital self-service options minimize quantity disputes and increase accountability.

“The inclusion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure anticipates the gradual expansion of cleaner mobility options, while solar energy reduces operational dependence on the national grid,” he continued.

“These stations will provide a more efficient, modern and dignified retail experience for ordinary Nigerians.”

At the national level, the Council noted that the program has strategic value by supporting the expansion and modernization of NNPC Limited’s retail network of approximately 900 outlets.

The transformation is expected to strengthen market presence, create new value chains and generate opportunities in technology support, infrastructure maintenance and customer service.

Rather than replacing workers, the new model is expected to evolve existing roles and introduce new skill requirements, thus contributing to sustainable employment across the sector.

“We specifically congratulate Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari for the strategic leadership that made this possible,” the Arewa Youth Council said.

“Since assuming office, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to performance, institutional reform and national interest.

“Under his leadership, NNPC Limited has maintained focus on manufacturing growth, critical infrastructure delivery, commercial discipline and customer-focused transformation,” the statement said.

“The Smart Self-Service Station initiative is a tangible expression of this leadership: practical, measurable and citizen-focused.”

While recognizing NNPC Limited’s other achievements in upstream operations, gas development and organizational efficiency, the Board chose to focus on downstream innovation due to its direct impact on the daily lives of Nigerians.

Energy, he underlined, remains the lifeblood of economic activity and the well-being of families.

Making retail more efficient, transparent and multidimensional is therefore a matter of national importance, the group argues.

“The Arewa Youth Council urges an accelerated and inclusive rollout nationwide, with a deliberate focus on northern and underserved regions,” the statement read.

“We ask state governments, private sector partners and technology providers to support the expansion.

“Continuous improvement of the customer experience and structured training of staff supporting the new systems will be essential to long-term success,” he added.

“We congratulate Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the management and staff of NNPC Limited and NNPC Retail and all collaborating partners.”