The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the appointment of Mrs. Victoria Samson, widely known as “BOVAS,” as the new Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo.

The announcement was made on May 10, 2026, shortly after the completion of the tenure of the outgoing Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served the institution from 2016 to 2026.

In a statement shared via the state government’s official communication channel and signed by spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, the administration described the development as the beginning of a new phase in the university’s leadership.

Mrs. Samson is the founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company and is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading female figures in the downstream petroleum industry.

Governor Adeleke praised the outgoing Chancellor for her decade of service, noting that her contributions left a lasting legacy on the institution. He recalled a recent courtesy visit to the Alakija family on May 8, 2026, where appreciation was expressed for their support to both the university and the state.

One of the key highlights of her tenure, according to the governor, was the donation of a major healthcare facility to Osun State University. The facility, the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital, was described as a landmark contribution to the institution’s development.

On the new appointment, Adeleke commended Mrs. Samson’s achievements in business, describing her as a symbol of integrity, disciplinenand service.

He noted her contributions to improving access to petroleum products and her role in expanding service delivery within the energy sector.

Mrs. Samson, an indigene of Iree in Boripe Local Government Area, was born on December 5, 1949. Over the years, she has built a strong reputation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Under her leadership, BOVAS Oil and Gas Company has grown from a single filling station into a nationwide network of more than 200 outlets, employing over 2,000 Nigerians as of late 2025.

She also holds the Texaco Petroleum franchise and made history in 1990 as the first Nigerian recipient of the Texaco Latin America and West Africa (LAWA) Award for Best Overall Dealer.

In addition to her business achievements, she has held leadership roles within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association (DAPPMA).

Her academic background includes a Professional Diploma in Marketing, executive training at Harvard Business School in 2013, and further studies at IESE Business School in Spain.

Governor Adeleke congratulated her on the appointment, expressing confidence that her experience and record of service would further strengthen the governance and development of Osun State University.