The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed renowned businesswoman and founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, Mrs Victoria Samson, popularly known as “BOVAS,” as the new Chancellor of Osun State University.
The appointment was announced on Sunday, May 10, 2026, following the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing Chancellor, Folorunso Alakija, who served the institution from 2016 to 2026.
In a statement issued by the Osun State Government spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the state government described the appointment as the beginning of a new phase of leadership for the university.
Mrs Samson is widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading female entrepreneurs in the downstream petroleum sector.
As founder and chief executive of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, she has built the business into a major player in the country’s oil and gas industry.
Governor Adeleke praised the outgoing Chancellor for her contributions to the university during her decade-long tenure, particularly her support for infrastructural and academic development.
According to the statement, the state government recently paid a courtesy and appreciation visit to Apostle Alakija and her family in recognition of their commitment to the institution 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 noted.
Adeleke specifically highlighted the donation of the multi-billion naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to the university as one of the most enduring legacies of the former Chancellor.
Speaking on the appointment of Mrs Samson, the governor commended her track record in business, leadership and service to humanity.
“We recognise with appreciation your distinct effort to make life easy for consumers of petroleum products,” Adeleke said.
“We celebrate you and present you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity and humanity in our society.”
Mrs Samson, an indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, was born on December 5, 1949.
Over the years, she has established a strong reputation in Nigeria’s petroleum industry through the steady growth of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company.
From a single filling station, the company has expanded into a nationwide network of more than 200 service stations, employing over 2,000 Nigerians as of December 2025.
She also operates the Texaco Petroleum franchise and became the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.
Beyond her business achievements, Mrs Samson has held several strategic positions within the petroleum marketing industry.
She has served as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) across major depots and is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association.
Her academic and executive training includes a Professional Diploma in Marketing, participation in a leadership programme at Harvard Business School in 2013, and executive education at IESE Business School.
Congratulating the new Chancellor, Adeleke said her appointment reflects the state government’s confidence in her leadership capacity and integrity.
“We congratulate you on behalf of the government and people of Osun State on your appointment as Chancellor of Osun State University. Your record of integrity and service is a source of pride to our state,” the governor stated.
The appointment is expected to strengthen the university’s leadership framework as the institution continues to pursue academic excellence and infrastructural expansion.
