Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Monday, 6 July 2026, commissioned four landmark infrastructure projects at the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and officially installed Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, the founder and Group Managing Director of BOVAS Group, as the institution’s third Chancellor. The event, which took place at the university’s main campus in Osogbo, brought together top government officials, members of the university’s Governing Council, traditional rulers, captains of industry, academics, students, and other distinguished guests, underscoring the significance of the occasion for the state’s educational development.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony, Governor Adeleke expressed confidence in the new Chancellor’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the institution, describing her as a symbol of integrity, diligence, discipline, and purposeful leadership. “I congratulate our new Chancellor and have every confidence that her wealth of experience, integrity and exemplary leadership will further strengthen the University’s growth and global outlook,” the governor said. He disclosed that the newly commissioned projects include a Sports Complex, a Science Laboratory Complex, a 1,300-capacity Lecture Theatre, and an 850-capacity Lecture Hall, all funded by the Osun State Government. The governor emphasised that these projects form part of a broader strategy to reposition education as the foundation of sustainable development in Osun State. “The commissioning of the Sports Complex, Science Laboratory Complex, 1,300-capacity Lecture Theatre and 850-capacity Lecture Hall is another clear demonstration of our administration’s unwavering commitment to repositioning education as the foundation of sustainable development,” he stated.
Adeleke also paid glowing tribute to the immediate past Chancellor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served the institution for a decade with uncommon grace, generosity, and commitment. He noted that through her exemplary leadership and philanthropy, the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital was donated to the institution. “Though her tenure has come to a successful conclusion, her remarkable legacy shall remain an integral part of the history of this university,” the governor said. In a poignant address, Adeleke framed leadership as a continuum, saying: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, leadership is a relay, not a race. Every generation is called upon to build on the achievements of those who came before it. Today, the baton has been passed to another accomplished and highly respected Nigerian. After careful consideration, one name stood out: Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson. She is an accomplished business executive, an exceptional administrator, a respected industrialist and an inspiring leader whose contributions to corporate Nigeria have earned widespread admiration.”
The governor assured the new Chancellor of his government’s continued support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing UNIOSUN to global standards. He noted that beyond the commissioned projects, the state government is constructing internal campus roads at the main campus and the Ikire Campus, while other academic infrastructure is ongoing across the university’s campuses. “We are also constructing campus internal roads here and at the Ikire Campus while other academic infrastructure is ongoing across our campuses. We are serious about developing this University to global standards,” Adeleke declared.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, commended Governor Adeleke for his unprecedented support for the institution, noting that the administration has consistently approved requests that have enhanced staff welfare, expanded infrastructure, and strengthened academic development. Adebooye disclosed that UNIOSUN has grown from a humble beginning of 649 students and 19 academic programmes at its inception in 2007 to over 42,000 students and 108 academic programmes today, a testament to the institution’s remarkable trajectory under the governor’s stewardship. He praised the governor for sustaining investments that have positioned UNIOSUN among Nigeria’s leading state universities, emphasising the important role of the Chancellor as the highest-ranking official and formal head of the university.
Adebooye described Mrs Samson as eminently qualified for the role, citing her distinguished record of leadership, service, and contributions to national development as the founder and Managing Director of BOVAS Oil and Gas. He highlighted that the Chancellor serves as the chief ceremonial head and ambassador of the university to the wider community, leveraging their high profile to secure philanthropic funding and strategic partnerships. “Distinguished members of this gathering, you will agree with me that Mama Victoria Adunola Samson perfectly fits into all these fundamental requirements of a chancellor through her extraordinary, pioneering track record as the founder and Managing Director of BOVAS Oil and Gas,” Adebooye said.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs Samson expressed profound appreciation to Governor Adeleke for the confidence reposed in her, describing the appointment as a call to greater service. She said her investiture was not merely a personal honour but “a clarion call to serve my state and join the good work Governor Ademola Adeleke is doing.” She pledged to deploy her experience, influence, and network to attract strategic partnerships, strengthen academic excellence, and support the continued growth of the university. She emphasised the importance of investing in the welfare of academic and non-academic staff, noting that a motivated workforce is essential to delivering quality education and enhancing students’ overall learning experience. “This is because when the faculty, whether academic or administrative, is well taken care of, they will also do the best for the student population,” she stated. The investiture ceremony and project commissioning marked a significant milestone in UNIOSUN’s journey, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to educational development and the appointment of accomplished personalities who can add value to public institutions.
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