Sunbeth Energies Launches Nigeria’s First Self-Service Fuel Station in Lagos

Sunbeth Energies Limited has introduced what it describes as Nigeria’s first self-service fuel station, opening the new facility at its Ogba outlet in Lagos as part of efforts to modernize fuel retailing and improve transparency for motorists.

The new system allows customers to manage the fueling process themselves, from starting a transaction and selecting the required quantity to monitoring fuel delivery and completing payment. The digital platform provides customers with real-time information throughout the transaction, giving them greater control and visibility over their purchases.

The development marks a significant shift from the conventional attendant-led model that has dominated fuel retailing in Nigeria for decades.

Under the traditional system, motorists typically rely on station attendants to operate dispensing pumps and handle transactions. Sunbeth’s new platform is designed to reduce uncertainty around the fueling process by allowing customers to directly monitor the volume of fuel dispensed and verify their transactions.

The self-service technology was developed and deployed in collaboration with Tech Brokers Limited, a Nigerian technology company focused on digital transformation and enterprise technology solutions.

The platform integrates forecourt automation with secure payment technology and has been designed to support different payment channels and fuel-station technologies. Its flexible architecture is also intended to make it easier to incorporate new technologies as the downstream petroleum industry evolves.

Speaking on the launch, Managing Director of Sunbeth Energies Limited, Lateef Abioye, described the initiative as an important milestone for both the company and Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

According to him, the new system is aimed at establishing a higher standard of convenience, transparency and customer participation in fuel transactions.

Abioye said customers should be able to clearly understand what they are paying for and have confidence in the accuracy of every transaction.

He also emphasized the local origin of the technology, noting that the project demonstrates the ability of Nigerian companies to develop and deploy solutions tailored to challenges within the country’s energy sector.

“This is only the first step,” Abioye said, explaining that Sunbeth plans to expand its digital transformation programme to other locations across its retail network.

He added that the company’s long-term objective is to develop connected and intelligent filling stations that combine automated operations, digital payments, data analytics and improved customer service.

Chief Executive Officer of Tech Brokers Limited, Wasiu Popoola, said the project represents a new direction for fuel retailing in Nigeria.

Popoola explained that the platform was developed as an indigenous technology solution capable of supporting the changing needs of the downstream oil and gas industry.

He said its architecture can work with a wide range of payment systems and forecourt technologies, while also providing room for future upgrades and integrations.

Popoola praised Sunbeth Energies for embracing the technology and investing in an approach he described as transformative for the sector.

He noted that the project demonstrates how Nigerian technology firms can collaborate with local businesses to develop solutions capable of addressing specific challenges in the Nigerian market.

Early users of the system have also expressed positive impressions of the new fueling experience.

One of the first customers said the ability to personally oversee the fueling process provided a greater sense of confidence, particularly because the customer could watch the quantity of fuel being dispensed in real time.

Although the system is designed to enable customers to complete transactions independently, Sunbeth has deployed trained customer-experience personnel at the Ogba station to assist motorists who may need guidance.

The company said the support is intended to make the transition from traditional attendant-operated fueling to self-service as simple and convenient as possible.

The Ogba launch is expected to serve as the starting point for Sunbeth Energies’ wider digital transformation programme, with the company positioning the initiative as part of a broader effort to reshape the way petroleum products are purchased and delivered to consumers in Nigeria.