Osogbo – Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening higher education by commissioning major infrastructure projects at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) and formally installing Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, the Chief Executive Officer of BOVAS Group, as the institution’s third Chancellor.
The ceremony, held on Monday at the university’s main campus in Osogbo, featured the inauguration of several completed projects, including a modern sports complex, a three-in-one laboratory facility, a 500-seat lecture theatre, and a 750-seat lecture theatre designed to improve teaching, learning and research.
During the investiture, Governor Adeleke described Samson as a distinguished business leader and administrator whose wealth of experience makes her well suited to lead the university in its ceremonial and ambassadorial role. He expressed confidence that she would build on the achievements of her predecessor, Apostle Folorunso Alakija, who served as Chancellor from 2016 to 2026.
The governor praised Alakija for her decade of service, highlighting her generosity and lasting contributions to the institution. Among her most notable legacies, he said, was the donation of the Modupe and Folorunso Alakija Medical Research and Training Hospital, a project fully funded by the Alakija family.
According to Adeleke, leadership is a continuous process in which each generation builds upon the achievements of those before it. He noted that after careful consideration, Samson emerged as the ideal choice due to her outstanding accomplishments in Nigeria’s corporate sector and her reputation as an accomplished entrepreneur and industrialist.
He further assured the new Chancellor of the state government’s unwavering support, emphasizing that education remains central to his administration’s vision for sustainable development in Osun State.
Speaking at the event, UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, commended the governor for the appointment, describing Samson as a perfect fit for the office of Chancellor. He explained that the position extends beyond ceremonial duties, serving as a symbol of the university’s prestige while helping to attract partnerships, investments and philanthropic support.
Adebooye also highlighted the university’s remarkable growth since its establishment in 2007. He disclosed that student enrolment has increased from just 649 at inception to more than 42,000, while academic programmes have expanded from 19 to 108 across its campuses.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the newly commissioned projects were financed through allocations from the Osun State Government alongside the university’s internally generated revenue. He added that additional infrastructure projects, including intra-campus road networks at the Osogbo and Ikire campuses, are currently under construction.
In her acceptance speech, Samson pledged to focus on improving infrastructure and creating an environment that supports both students and staff. She stressed that quality facilities and motivated personnel are essential for producing globally competitive graduates.
The new Chancellor also called for stronger collaboration between the university and industry, saying closer partnerships would enhance research, innovation and graduate employability. She expressed optimism that UNIOSUN could improve its standing in global university rankings, setting a target of placing the institution among Nigeria’s top ten universities in the next five years.
The investiture ceremony attracted several prominent personalities, including former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Chairman of the University Governing Council Prof. Wale Oladipo, and other government officials, academics and dignitaries.
UNIOSUN’s first Chancellor was the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who served following the university’s establishment in 2007. Samson now becomes the institution’s third Chancellor, succeeding Apostle Folorunso Alakija after a decade of distinguished service.
