By Oke Peter
AA Rano Nigeria, a leading downstream petroleum marketing company, has explained the rationale behind its launch of Nigeria’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations, describing the initiative as a strategic move to drive efficiency and digital transformation in fuel retailing, despite growing public criticism.
The development follows a strategic partnership between AA Rano Group and Petrosoft Limited, a Nigerian technology firm specialising in downstream oil and gas business management solutions. The agreement, signed by Petrosoft’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joshua Denila, and Chairman of AA Rano Group, Alhaji Auwalu Rano, will see automated fuel station technology rolled out across AA Rano’s retail outlets nationwide.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the company said the unmanned stations are scheduled to commence operations in January 2026. The facilities will operate 24 hours a day, offering self-service fuelling, contactless payment systems and real-time monitoring, thereby eliminating the need for on-site fuel attendants.
AA Rano explained that the automated stations are designed to improve transparency, reduce operational inefficiencies and guarantee accurate fuel dispensing, giving customers confidence that they receive the exact quantity paid for.
Speaking on the initiative, General Manager, Retail, AA Rano Nigeria, Mohammed Sule, said the project aligns with the company’s commitment to innovation and service excellence in an increasingly competitive downstream market.
“Our drive for operational excellence and efficiency informed our decision to partner with Petrosoft. By introducing unmanned and automated stations, we are setting new standards for reliability, speed and customer confidence in fuel retailing. This initiative ensures uninterrupted access to fuel at all times,” Sule said.
The stations will be powered by Petrosoft’s SmartPump technology, which integrates retail automation, corporate fleet fuelling, inventory management and cloud-based monitoring. The system enables self-service refuelling, automatic vehicle identification, real-time pump control, advanced tank gauging and leak detection, helping to curb theft and product losses.
Dr Denila said the project demonstrates how locally developed technology can address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s energy distribution sector.
“This collaboration underscores the capacity of Nigerian-built solutions to meet global standards in automation and IoT. Our aim is to eliminate inefficiencies, enhance accountability and deliver a world-class fuelling experience for both retail customers and corporate users,” he said.
However, the unveiling has drawn sharp criticism from labour unions, industry analysts and members of the public, who warn that unmanned stations could worsen unemployment in a country already facing significant job losses. Critics argue that the displacement of fuel attendants could adversely affect thousands of workers, particularly young people who rely on the sector for income.
Concerns have also been raised about safety, emergency response and the reliability of automated systems, especially in regions with unstable power supply and weak digital infrastructure. Stakeholders have called on regulators to thoroughly assess the initiative to ensure consumer safety, data protection and adequate safeguards for workers before large-scale deployment.
Despite the backlash, AA Rano maintains that automation represents the future of fuel retailing in Nigeria, insisting that technological advancement and operational efficiency are unavoidable in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
