The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed Mrs Victoria Samson, popularly known as “BOVAS,” as the new Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo.
The announcement was made on May 10, 2026, following the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served from 2016 to 2026.According to a statement issued by the state government and posted on its official X handle, the appointment marks the beginning of a new leadership era for the university.Mrs Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, is widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading female entrepreneurs in the downstream petroleum sector.Governor Adeleke commended the outgoing Chancellor, noting that her decade-long service left a lasting impact on the institution.
He also highlighted her contributions, especially the donation of the multi-billion naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to Osun State University.
“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 for her support to the University and Osun State,” the statement read.On the appointment of Mrs Samson, Adeleke praised her achievements in business, describing her as a symbol of integrity and service.“We recognize with appreciation your effort in making life easier for consumers of petroleum products. We celebrate you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity, and humanity,” the governor said.Mrs Samson, an indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, was born on December 5, 1949. She has built a strong reputation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry over several decades.Under her leadership, BOVAS Oil and Gas Company has expanded from a single filling station into a nationwide network of over 200 service stations, employing over 2,000 Nigerians as of December 2025.She also holds the Texaco Petroleum franchise and became the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa (LAWA) Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.In industry leadership, she has served as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and is also a Board of Trustees member of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA).Her academic training includes a Professional Diploma in Marketing, a leadership programme at Harvard Business School, and executive education at IESE Business School, Barcelona.
The government said the appointment is expected to strengthen the leadership structure of the university as it continues its academic and infrastructural development.
SOURCE:The Punch Newspaper – May 10, 2026
