How To Start Filling Station Business In Nigeria (2024)

This article is about how to start petrol filling station business in Nigeria currently in this year 2024. A fuel filling station, also known as a petrol station or gas station, is a facility where fuel is sold for cars, motorcycles, and domestic use. It is typically located by the side of the road. Nigerians heavily rely on fuel purchased from a gas station to meet their electricity and transportation needs due to the large number of cars in the country and the poor quality of the electricity supply. Because of this, the filling station industry is now among the country’s most lucrative businesses.

Nigeria, one of the top oil-producing countries in the world, has enormous, both tapped and undeveloped crude oil reserves throughout its entire South-South, South-East, and some parts of the South-West regions which make up the Niger-Delta. Oil business is an extremely profitable industry in every way. Everything from drilling to mining to selling and exporting crude oil and its refined products yields great returns. Nigeria, which also produces oil, is regarded as one of Africa’s largest consumers of oil products due to the fact that crude oil serves as the primary source of its energy needs.

On Nigerian roads, there are millions of vehicles running on petrol or diesel each day. Aside from this, crude oil is also the source of aviation fuel, which is used to power airplanes, helicopters, and jets. The majority of homes in Nigeria own generators, which are frequently used every day to power homes and serve as an alternative to the country’s limited energy supply, making the filling station industry lucrative. It is not an overstatement to say that the majority of the millions of generators utilized in the nation run on either petrol or diesel.

Almost all sector in Nigeria depends on power generated privately from petroleum product consuming sets and these crude oil products are dispensed by popular filling stations in Nigeria as well as their less popular counterparts. Filling stations do not necessary need to be in major cities because there is a national need for oil products, unlike other types of businesses. Even yet, those who live in cities may have the upper hand financially over those who live in rural areas when it comes to starting and running the business. That said, let us look at the steps required to start filling station business in Nigeria today below.

GUIDE ON HOW TO START PETROL FILLING STATION BUSINESS IN NIGERIA 2024 

The following are the step by step processes on how to start fuel filling station business in Nigeria this 2024:

PREPARE A BUSINESS PLAN

Choosing the type of oil marketer one wishes to be is crucial and necessary in this business. This is due to the fact that accomplishing this at a very early stage is similar to creating a business plan, which will include numerous elements and techniques that the intended marketer would use. There are two categories of marketers in Nigeria today: dependent and independent. The dependent marketers are those who possess a franchise from a major oil marketer that entitles them to conduct business at their own facility, which is entirely branded in their name.

Before agreeing to enlist as a dependent marketer, it is crucial to understand the pros and cons involved as this will guide him or her in making the best decisions. An independent marketer, on the other hand, is a person who operates a gas station under his or her own name as a personal business. This person deals directly with the NNPC to buy petroleum products. Being a dependent marketer is typically more advantageous from a neutral standpoint. An independent marketer, on the other hand, is free to set his/her own rules and regulations.

REGISTER THE BUSINESS 

As a petrol marketer, you must register your company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria, as well as any associations that may be required. Licensing is very necessary. It is crucial to register and adhere to all professional standards.

CONSTRUCT YOUR FILLING STATION

The facility that will house the filling station must next be built after you have registered your business. It is advisable to carry out a feasibility study about the placement of your petrol filling station. It is also recommended that your fuel station be built next to a main road so that drivers can access the station easily. In order to draw in more customers, it would also be advantageous if the building was close to a motor park, major market, or other strategic place.

PETROL TANK PLACEMENT

At least two plots of land, on which the underground storage tank will be sunk should be made available. The tanks would hold diesel, petrol, and kerosene. Tanks come in various sizes, but it is recommended that a tank of 45,000 or 60,000 litres be sunk so that the marketer can always purchase more fuel before one tanker delivery runs out.

HIRE EXPERT ENGINEERS

The construction engineer is responsible for the majority of the construction work, which typically consists of:

A BUNGALOW

The office, convenience store, and car wash would all be housed in one bungalow. The bungalow’s size is up to the owners’ preferences. Approximately six oil pumps are present in a typical filling station and are utilized to offer fuel to potential customers.

CANOPY

The canopy acts as the oil pumps’ roof and shields the station’s employees from the sun and rain. It also serves as a cover for the oil pumps.

FENCING

Fences must surround a fuel station on at least three sides of the property where it is located. The entrance into and exit from the filling station would be on the fourth side.

HARD-CORE CONCRETE

It is common knowledge that many vehicles would frequent a filling station over an extended period of time. Therefore, it is important that the flooring be done correctly in order to avoid any incidents involving damage to the floor or vehicles.

STANDBY GENERATOR

Given Nigeria’s unstable power grid, it is only reasonable to make an effort to get a generator to power the electronic oil pumps.

HIRE STAFF

The owner of the filling station is responsible for hiring the staff members he requires for the smooth running of his business. A manager, a security guard, two attendants (one for each pump), a supervisor, and a cashier, are often the most in-demand employees for this business.