By Aliyu Oyewole
Motorists in Nigeria can now purchase petrol through their mobile phones and redeem their orders at participating NNPC Retail stations, offering a digital alternative to the traditional process of joining long queues at filling stations.
The service, operated through the NR Fuel App, allows customers to select their preferred petroleum product, make payment electronically and visit a participating NNPC Retail station to redeem their purchase.
The development is expected to make fuel purchases more convenient for motorists, particularly those looking to reduce the time spent waiting at filling stations.
How to buy fuel through the NNPC app
To use the service, motorists are required to download the NR Fuel App and register their details.
After registration, users can access the fuel purchasing feature and select the petroleum product they wish to buy.
They can then choose an eligible NNPC Retail station where the purchase will be redeemed.
Payment is completed through the digital platform, after which the customer receives details of the transaction for redemption at the selected station.
The app also provides users with access to their transaction history, allowing them to keep track of previous purchases.
What motorists should know
The digital service does not necessarily mean motorists can buy fuel from every NNPC station through the app.
Availability depends on whether a particular station participates in the service and whether the requested petroleum product is available.
Motorists are therefore advised to check the participating stations and available products on the platform before completing a purchase.
The initiative represents another step towards the digitalisation of petroleum retail transactions in Nigeria, as technology continues to change how consumers access and pay for essential services.
For motorists who regularly spend significant time in filling-station queues, the app could provide a more convenient way to plan and complete fuel purchases.
Why the development matters
Fuel queues have remained a major source of frustration for Nigerian motorists, especially during periods of petrol scarcity or sudden changes in supply.
An app-based purchasing system could help streamline transactions by allowing customers to complete payment digitally before arriving at the station.
However, the effectiveness of the service will ultimately depend on its availability across more NNPC Retail outlets and the reliability of fuel supply at participating stations.
For now, motorists who want to try the service can download the NR Fuel App, register and check whether their preferred NNPC Retail station supports the digital fuel-purchase option.
