Concerned Petrol Station Workers Oppose AA Rano’s Automated Fuel Stations Over Job Risks

Concerned Petrol Station Workers Oppose AA Rano’s Automated Fuel Stations Over Job Risks

Petrol station attendants, under the platform of the Concerned Petrol Station Workers, have criticised plans by AA Rano to launch what it claims will be Nigeria’s first fully automated, unmanned filling stations.

The company recently announced that the automated stations, set to debut this January, will operate a 24/7 self-service model using contactless payments, automated fuel pumps, and real-time surveillance technology, effectively eliminating the need for attendants.

Reacting to the announcement, Comrade Ibrahim Zango, Convener of the Concerned Petrol Station Workers, warned that the initiative could exacerbate unemployment and insecurity, as many Nigerians rely on fuel attendant jobs for their livelihood.

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Zango stated in Kaduna on Thursday, January 8, 2026, that “sending workers out of jobs, some of whom have been serving for decades, without robust transition plans, will multiply our crisis as a country.” He urged stakeholders to carefully weigh the human cost of automation, highlighting the economic vulnerability of thousands of families dependent on petrol station employment.

While acknowledging the importance of technological advancement, Zango emphasised that innovation should not come at the expense of workers’ welfare. He called on the Federal Government and regulatory bodies to establish clear guidelines that balance labour protection with industry modernization.

He also appealed to AA Rano’s leadership to consult with workers and regulators before rolling out the project, stressing that corporate progress should not displace employees who started from modest backgrounds similar to those of the company’s chairman.

The workers’ group urged that automation in the downstream petroleum sector should create new employment opportunities rather than eliminate existing jobs, warning that failure to plan responsibly could trigger wider social and economic challenges.

Concerned Petrol Station Workers Oppose AA Rano’s Automated Fuel Stations Over Job Risks