Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has appointed renowned businesswoman and founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, Mrs Victoria Samson, as the new Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo.
The appointment, announced on Sunday, marks the beginning of a new leadership era for the institution following the completion of the tenure of the immediate past Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served the university from 2016 to 2026.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Osun State Government, Olawale Rasheed, and shared through the state government’s official communication channels.
Governor Adeleke, while congratulating Mrs Samson on her appointment, described her as a symbol of integrity, diligence, humanity, and exemplary leadership whose contributions to business and society continue to inspire many Nigerians.
“We celebrate you and present you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity, and humanity in our society,” Adeleke stated.
The governor also acknowledged Mrs Samson’s impact in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, noting that her entrepreneurial achievements and commitment to service made her a worthy choice for the prestigious position.
Mrs Victoria Samson, popularly known as “BOVAS,” is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most successful female entrepreneurs, having built BOVAS Oil and Gas Company from a single filling station into a nationwide network of over 200 service stations across the country.
The company currently employs more than 2,000 Nigerians, making it one of the notable indigenous players in the nation’s oil and gas industry.
An indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, Mrs Samson was born on December 5, 1949, and has remained influential in business, leadership, and community development for decades.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she has continued to play active roles in professional and industry-related organisations, including serving as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) across major depots.
She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA).
The new Chancellor equally holds the Texaco Petroleum franchise and made history as the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.
Her educational and executive leadership exposure includes a Professional Diploma in Marketing, participation in a leadership programme at Harvard Business School in 2013, and executive training at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
Governor Adeleke used the opportunity to appreciate the immediate past Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, for what he described as a decade of impactful service and support to both the university and Osun State.
“The tenure of the former Chancellor ended on March 18, 2026, and the government of Osun State paid a celebration visit to Apostle Folorunso Alakija on Friday, May 8, 2026, to express gratitude to the Alakija family for the excellent support given to the University and Osun State,” the statement read.
The governor particularly highlighted the donation of the multi-billion naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to UNIOSUN as one of the most enduring legacies of the former Chancellor’s administration.
“Her impact remains a living legacy, especially the donation of the ultra-modern medical research and training hospital to Osun State University,” Adeleke added.
The appointment comes at a period when UNIOSUN continues to expand its academic profile, research capacity, and institutional partnerships within and outside Nigeria.
With the emergence of Mrs Victoria Samson as Chancellor, stakeholders have expressed optimism that the university will continue to build on the legacies of innovation, growth, and excellence established over the years.
