Olayide Folorunso, Managing Director of Fuelmetrics Limited, recently spoke on the launch of the company’s self-service fuel terminals, powered by smart automation technology in partnership with Eterna Plc. This innovation enables motorists to authorise and pay for fuel using cards and digital vouchers, a move Folorunso noted enhances transparency and significantly reduces wait times. By minimising cash handling and delivering a more seamless station experience, the solution represents a practical step forward in digitising the downstream sector.
Following the launch event in Lagos, he sat down to discuss the technical and strategic depth of the new solution.
In a market where internet stability can be inconsistent, how does Fuelmetrics ensure these terminals remain operational during network outages? Is there an “offline” mode for processing transactions?
We have engineered our solution specifically for the Nigerian environment,so the terminals have an offline functionality. On the whole, our technology stack is designed with local caching capabilities and “store-and-forward” logic. While real-time authorisation is the gold standard for digital vouchers, the system is built to maintain core pump-control functions and data integrity even during intermittent connectivity, ensuring that the station does not grind to a halt due to a network flicker.
With digital payments comes the risk of fraud. What cybersecurity protocols have been embedded into the Fuelmetrics software to protect customer card data and prevent the hacking of fuel levels?
Security was a foundational consideration in building this platform. Our system uses end-to-end encryption for all payment transactions to ensure that sensitive card data is never stored directly on the terminal.
On the operational side, pump commands are not manually alterable,they are digitally authorised through secure, encrypted communication between the terminal and the pump. Every transaction traceable as volumes dispensed cannot be adjusted without system-level authorisation. For us, cybersecurity is not an add-on, it is embedded in the architecture.
The partnership signifies the importance of home-grown innovation. Why is it critical for Nigeria to develop its own downstream tech solutions rather than importing them from abroad?
Imported solutions are often “black boxes” that do not account for Nigeria’s specific challenges, such as power fluctuations, unique fleet management needs, or local payment habits. By developing this in Nigeria, Fuelmetrics provides a solution that is easier to maintain, quicker to adapt to local regulations, and keeps high-tech jobs and intellectual property within our borders.
Fuelmetrics is providing the “smart automation technology” for this rollout. Can you walk us through how this specific terminal works and what makes it “smart” compared to traditional pumps?
Traditional pumps rely on manual intervention, where an attendant must physically start and stop the pump and handle cash. Our terminal is “smart” because it acts as the digital brain of the pump. A motorist simply uses a card or digital voucher at the terminal to authorise the transaction. The system then automatically releases the exact volume of fuel paid for, integrating payment, pump control, and data logging into one seamless, automated loop without manual overrides.
How has Fuelmetrics designed the interface to ensure it is intuitive for the average driver who may be used to attendant-led service?
We followed a “keep it simple” philosophy for the interface, using clear, intuitive prompts similar to a standard ATM to guide the user through the process. By reducing the steps to inserting or tapping a card, inputting the amount, and fuelling, we have ensured that even those who are not tech-savvy can complete a transaction in less time than it takes to find change in a glovebox.
Following this launch in Lagos, what is the roadmap for scaling these self-service terminals to other parts of Nigeria, particularly in regions with different digital literacy levels?
We are very intentional about our rollout strategy. After Lagos, our next major focus is on other major cities around the country including; Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and others with a rapidly growing appetite for structured, technology-driven retail systems.
As part of this expansion, we are working with one of the leading retail station networks across the country, to ensure that deployment is both strategic and impactful. Partnering with established regional leaders allows us to scale responsibly while respecting local market dynamics
For regions with lower digital literacy, we are focusing on assisted self-service models where attendants act as digital ambassadors, helping customers bridge the gap until they are comfortable using the terminals independently.
In your view, what are the next two or three technological leaps we will see in Nigerian fuel stations over the next five years?
Over the next five years, we expect three major shifts. First is full station automation where pricing, dispensing, reconciliation, payments and reporting are fully integrated in real time with minimal manual intervention. Second is data-driven inventory optimization. Stations will rely on predictive analytics to anticipate demand patterns, manage supply cycles, and reduce stockouts or overstocking.
Third is ecosystem integration where fuel retail connects seamlessly with loyalty platforms, fleet management systems, and broader digital payment networks. Stations will evolve from simple fuel dispensing points into smart retail hubs powered by data. The future of Nigerian fuel retail will not just be about selling litres, it will be about managing intelligence.
How exactly does this technology help a business owner identify or prevent fuel theft and cash leakages?
For a business owner, every drop counts. Our technology eliminates the hidden losses that occur through manual recording, pump manipulation, or cash skimming. Because every litre dispensed is tied to a digital payment or an authorised voucher, there is a 100% reconciliation rate.
But it doesn’t stop at the station level. Beyond the terminal itself, Fuelmetrics has built an integrated ecosystem. Remis, our fleet monitoring subsidiary, extends this visibility to corporate organisations managing vehicle fleets.
With the integration between our self-service terminals and Remis, companies can now monitor fuel spend in real time as their vehicles transact at participating stations. Every purchase is digitally logged, matched to a vehicle or driver profile, and reflected instantly on the company’s dashboard.
This means organisations no longer rely on paper receipts or after-the-fact expense reports. They gain direct oversight of consumption patterns, spending behaviour, and potential anomalies creating a complete transparent system.
So it’s not just about preventing leakages at stations. It’s about building a connected system where both station owners and fleet operators operate with data, accountability, and control.
One of the benefits mentioned is minimising human error. Could you provide a specific example of an operational headache this technology eliminates for station managers?
A classic operational headache is the end-of-shift reconciliation nightmare, where managers spend hours trying to match cash on hand with pump readings. Our system eliminates this entirely by providing real-time, automated reporting. The manager knows exactly what has been sold and paid for at any given second.
By moving toward cards and digital vouchers, how does this partnership align with Nigeria’s broader “Cashless Policy” and the security benefits of reducing physical cash at petrol stations?
Fuel stations have traditionally been cash-heavy environments, making them targets for security risks. By shifting to cards and digital vouchers, we are directly supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless mandate. This reduces the security burden of moving large sums of physical cash and brings more downstream transactions into the formal financial ecosystem.
There is often a fear that automation replaces jobs. How do you see the role of the petrol station attendant evolving as these self-service terminals become more common?
Technology is not replacing the attendant; rather, it is evolving their role. Instead of being manual pump operators and cash handlers, attendants become customer service ambassadors. They ensure safety on the forecourt, assist with the technology, and manage the overall retail experience. This represents a shift from low-skill manual labour to higher-value service roles.
