Why The Woman Behind BOVAS Petroleum, Victoria Samson Is So Much Celebrated By Many

“Seest thou a (wo)man diligent in his (her) business? he (she) shall stand before kings; he (she) shall not stand before mean men.” -Bible, Proverbs 22:29 (KJV). This quote roundly describes Mrs Victoria A. Samson, the Managing Director of BOVAS & Company Limited, one of the strong players in the petroleum marketing sector in Nigeria. 'Mama BOVAS', as many know her, is a shining example of the real, succeful African woman. Her life is a mirror that reflects what success is in the real context of it. So well has she done for herself that she is massively-loved and celebrated by many. She has earned such a good name and (been) blessed with wealth through diligence.

Mrs Victoria Samson is a marketer per excellence with close to 30 years' experience in the Oil and Gas industry starting as a Dealer with both Texaco Nigeria Plc and Mobil Plc. She was the first Nigerian to win the Texaco Latin America West Africa (LAWA) Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990 for the highest sales in both regions combined. Managerial acumen, dexterity, ingenuity and hardwork had been part of her from the on set. BOVAS opened its first service station in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State in 1991.

Presently, the Company operates 119 service stations around the country and has several more under various stages of construction. A Liquefied Petroleum Gas Plant was added to the group in 1995, to cater for the domestic gas customers primarily in the southwestern part of the country with Twenty (20) operational gas skids. BOVAS also has one of the big private tank farms in the country.

The Unique Selling Point that warmed Mama BOVAS and her company into the hearts of many is trust. The BOVAS brand has earned a reputation that drives crowds to their outlets wherever they are located. In the past, and even presently, she has not only revolted against oil cabals milking Nigerians, her retail outlets have always stayed on the side of the masses by maintaining standardized prices of products even during worst cases of scarcity. BOVAS is also reputable for never engaging in products-hoarding. It has been a major independent marketer, easing fuel scarcity in Nigeria. The scenario remains the same during the current fuel crisis rocking the country. A lot of people have taken to social media, hailing BOVAS again as usual, for easing their pains at this period. In 2018, the NNPC gave the company a special award for this.

Mama BOVAS' husband of decades is the Chairman of the company. Architect Bamidele O. Samson, is a co-founder of BOVAS Group. He studied in Nigeria and Europe and lectured briefly at the University of Ibadan and the Polytechnic, Ibadan before joining the Design Group, from where he retired to start the BOVAS group with his wife. Two of their sons are Executive Directors at the company that has provided good job opportunities for thousands of Nigerians over the years. Mama BOVAS is moderately sociable and she is seen as a strong pillar of support to many prominent women.