Osun State Governor, 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.
The appointment, announced on Sunday, signals the beginning of a new leadership era for the institution following the completion of the tenure of the immediate past Chancellor, Folorunso Alakija, who served from 2016 to 2026.
In a statement signed by the state government spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke described Mrs Samson as a symbol of integrity, diligence, and exemplary leadership.
“We celebrate you and present you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity, and humanity in our society,” the governor stated.
Adeleke also commended her contributions to Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, noting that her entrepreneurial achievements and commitment to service make her well-suited for the prestigious role.
Mrs Samson, popularly known as “BOVAS,” is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading female entrepreneurs, having grown BOVAS Oil and Gas from a single filling station into a nationwide network of over 200 outlets, employing more than 2,000 Nigerians.
An indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, the new Chancellor has remained influential in business and community development for decades. She currently serves 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 of Nigeria (DAPPMA).
Her achievements include holding the Texaco Petroleum franchise and emerging as the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.
Mrs Samson’s academic and 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.
Governor Adeleke also appreciated the outgoing Chancellor, Alakija, for what he described as a decade of impactful service to the university and Osun State.
According to the statement, the state government paid a visit to the former Chancellor on May 8, 2026, to express gratitude for her contributions, particularly the donation of the multi-billion naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to the university.
“With her emergence, stakeholders are optimistic that Osun State University will continue to advance in innovation, research, and academic excellence,” the statement added.
