Governor Adeleke Names New Head of Osun State University

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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.

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

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According to a statement signed and posted on Osun state’s X handle on Sunday by the state government spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the appointment marks the beginning of a new leadership era for the university.

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Mrs Samson, founder of BOVAS Oil and Gas Company, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prominent female entrepreneurs in the downstream petroleum sector.

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Adeleke commended the outgoing Chancellor, noting that her decade-long service left a lasting impact on the institution.

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“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 said.

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Adeleke highlighted one of the most significant contributions of the outgoing Chancellor as the donation of a major medical facility to the university.

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“Her impact remains a living legacy, especially the donation of the multi-billion naira Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital to Osun State University,” he said.

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On the appointment of Mrs Samson, the governor praised her achievements in business and industry, describing her as a model of integrity and service.

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Adeleke said, “We recognize with appreciation your distinct effort to make life easy for consumers of petroleum products.

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“We celebrate you and present you as a symbol of decency, honesty, integrity, and humanity in our society.”

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Mrs Samson, an Iree indigene from 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.

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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 more than 2,000 Nigerians as of December 2025.

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

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In her industry roles, she has served as Matron of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) across key depots and is also a Board of Trustees member of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association (DAPPMA).

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Her academic and leadership training includes a Professional Diploma in Marketing, a leadership programme at Harvard Business School in 2013, and executive education at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

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Congratulating her, Adeleke said: “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.”

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The appointment is expected to further strengthen the university’s leadership structure as it continues its academic and infrastructural development.

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