Victoria Samson, BOVAS Oil Founder, Appointed UNIOSUN Chancellor

Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke has appointed Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, as the new Chancellor of Osun State University. She succeeds Apostle Folorunso Alakija, whose tenure ended on March 18, 2026, after serving 10 years. A statement from the university's Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, confirmed the appointment and described it as a milestone in advancing UNIOSUN's vision of academic excellence and strategic partnerships.

Mrs Samson, born December 5, 1949, is a native of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State. She built BOVAS Oil and Gas from a single filling station into one of Nigeria's leading indigenous petroleum marketing firms, expanding to over 200 service stations nationwide. As of December 31, 2025, the company employed more than 2,000 Nigerians. She holds the Texaco Petroleum franchise and was the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America and West Africa Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990.

She has served as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria at NNPC/PPMC Satellite Depot, Ejigbo, Lagos State, and Apata Depot, Ibadan, Oyo State. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association. Her educational credentials include a Professional Diploma in Marketing, the Harvard Business School Leadership Programme for Family Businesses in 2013, and the Chief Executive Programme at IESE Business School, Barcelona.

Governor Adeleke praised Apostle Alakija for her contributions, including the donation of the multi-billion-naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital. On May 8, 2026, the Osun State Government and university management paid a courtesy visit to the Alakija family to mark the end of her tenure. The governor described Mrs Samson as a woman of integrity, accountability and patriotism, noting her commitment to decency and humanity. University staff, management and students welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence in her leadership.