Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in its downstream oil sector with the launch of the country’s first fully automated, unmanned fuel stations, offering round-the-clock service.
The initiative is spearheaded by A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited, founded by renowned oil magnate Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, in partnership with Petrosoft Limited, a Nigerian technology firm specialising in oil and gas management solutions.
Under the partnership, Petrosoft will deploy its SmartPump automated station technology across A.A. Rano’s network of over 200 retail outlets nationwide, marking a significant shift in fuel retail operations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, A.A. Rano disclosed that the first set of automated stations is expected to commence operations within January 2026.
The stations will allow motorists to refuel independently, make digital and contactless payments, and complete transactions without the presence of fuel attendants.
According to the company, the unmanned technology is aimed at reducing operational losses, improving transparency, and restoring customer confidence by ensuring that buyers receive the exact volume of fuel paid for.
Speaking on the development, Petrosoft’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joshua Denila, described the project as a demonstration of how locally developed technology can address long-standing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s fuel retail market.
Denila said: “Our systems are developed locally and built to international standards.
“They are designed to improve efficiency, whether at single retail stations or large fuel depots.”
