• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

How did you manage to build a multi-billion Naira business from scratch, navigating the complex oil and gas terrain in Nigeria? Building BOVAS from nothing in 1990 to what it is today has been a journey of faith, focus, and foresight. My journey in the oil and gas sector actually started much earlier. In 1981, I became a dealer with Texaco Nigeria Plc and committed myself fully to the opportunity. By God's grace, my performance earned me the Texaco PLC International Award for the Best Dealer in Latin America and West Africa, which I received in Miami, Florida, United States in 1990 from Texaco Inc. After spending 10 years as a dealer, we took a bold step in 1990 to establish BOVAS and Company Limited. At that time, the oil and gas terrain was not only complex but largely male-dominated. However, I chose to see the complexity not as a barrier but as a puzzle to be solved. First, my husband and I built the company on a foundation of God and integrity. In this industry, the terrain is rough, and there are temptations to cut corners or sell adulterated products. Very early, we made a firm decision that BOVAS would be different. Over time, we became known as the brand you could trust, and that reputation became our strongest currency. Second, resilience and adaptability have been crucial. The Nigerian economy has experienced numerous challenges -- policy changes, foreign exchange fluctuations, and infrastructure constraints. We navigated these realities by maintaining a long-term vision. We invested heavily in infrastructure including our storage facilities in Kirikiri and Apapa, Lagos, which have the capacity to load over 10 million litres of petroleum products daily. By God's grace, we also acquired product vessels such as MT LADY DOYIN and MT VICTORIA 1, among others. These investments helped strengthen our supply chain and reduce operational vulnerabilities. Third, teamwork and family have played a vital role. I have been blessed with a loving and supportive partner in my husband, Bamidele Samson, as well as a dedicated team that shares the vision. No one can navigate such a demanding industry alone. You need people who are both competent and committed. Finally, it was about seeing the opportunity in the midst of obstacles. While many saw only the difficulties in the oil and gas sector, we saw a clear gap for reliability and trust. We simply focused on filling that gap. It took prayer, patience, and a lot of hard work, but above all, we made a decision never to give up. My inspiration comes from a simple but powerful belief: that business must be a force for good. When I started BOVAS in 1990, I was not just interested in selling fuel -- I was committed to fuelling progress. My dedication is rooted in my faith in God and in the remarkable resilience of the Nigerian people. For me, driving positive change means standing firm in difficult moments. For example, during periods of fuel scarcity, when people face uncertainty and frustration, I believe companies like ours must become a beacon of hope. Over the years, BOVAS became known for selling at official prices, maintaining quality, and delivering the right quantity. I strongly believe that leadership is about protecting the consumer and doing what is right, even when it is not the easiest path. To me, leadership means demonstrating that a business built on integrity, empathy, and accountability can thrive without compromising its values. What continues to sustain my passion is, first, God's grace, and the dedication of over 3,000 Nigerian employees who work tirelessly every day to keep the wheels of progress turning. Equally inspiring are the communities we serve, because every life we impact reminds me why I must keep striving to do better. The theme "Give to Gain" resonates deeply with my life's journey. For women to truly gain a seat at the table, those who have been privileged to rise must be willing to give the ladder to the next generation. To accelerate progress toward gender equality in Nigeria, I believe two key strategies are essential. First is institutional mentorship. It is no longer sufficient to mentor informally. Both organisations and governments must deliberately create structured platforms where young women are trained, guided, and exposed to leadership and entrepreneurship opportunities. At BOVAS and Company Limited, we remain committed to investing in people because empowering individuals ultimately strengthens institutions. Second is economic independence. When a woman is economically empowered, she gains the confidence and capacity to contribute meaningfully to society. Supporting initiatives such as the Nigeria for Women Programme and creating wider market access for female entrepreneurs are critical steps toward this goal. Ultimately, when we invest in women, we are not only empowering individuals -- we are strengthening families, communities, and the entire economy. Indeed, we gain a stronger and more prosperous society when we give women the tools and opportunities to lead. First, I am sincerely grateful to The Guardian Nigeria for recognising me as one of the 100 Inspiring and Award-Winning Amazons in Nigeria, especially considering that I naturally prefer to live a quiet and private life. The recognition is truly humbling. However, I do not see it merely as a personal trophy. Rather, I see it as a platform and a responsibility -- a voice that can help women realise that they are capable of achieving far more than they often imagine. For me, this recognition represents an opportunity to showcase the possibilities for women in sectors traditionally dominated by men, such as the oil and gas industry. It reinforces the message that with faith, resilience, and dedication, women can excel in any field. I intend to leverage this recognition by opening the doors of BOVAS and Company Limited even wider as a place where young people, particularly women, can see what is possible and be inspired to pursue leadership and entrepreneurship. This aligns with the vision that Kings University acknowledged when they honoured me as an Entrepreneurship Ambassador. I see this role as a call to inspire and mentor the next generation. Going forward, I hope to use this visibility to advocate for greater female participation in leadership within the energy sector, not only as consumers but as executives, innovators, and decision-makers who can shape the future of the industry and contribute meaningfully to national development. This is a matter that requires collective action from all sectors of society. Awareness grows when we break the culture of silence and confront these issues openly, starting within our families, local communities, churches, mosques, and social groups. A grassroots approach is critical. We must take sensitization directly to the people, educating them on their rights and the mechanisms for reporting abuse. Children, in particular, must be empowered to understand that their safety is a fundamental right, not a privilege. We need to meet them where they are -- at home, in schools, and in community spaces -- to teach them how to protect themselves and seek help. As corporate leaders, we also have a responsibility to support community-based initiatives and ensure that our workplaces implement strict safeguarding policies. Awareness alone is not enough; it must be coupled with practical protections and accountability. Finally, advocacy must focus on the updating, domestication, and enforcement of sexual assault and child protection laws at the state and national levels. Enforcement is just as critical as prevention -- it serves both as a deterrent and a safeguard for the most vulnerable. When awareness, protection, and enforcement work together, we can create a safer, more just society for all Nigerians, especially our children. At BOVAS and Company Limited, we live by a simple creed: we exist because of the needs of our esteemed customers. Customer satisfaction is not a department -- it is our corporate culture, embedded in everything we do. We prioritise it through three core pillars: Quality, Transparency, and Accessibility. * Quality: Our products meet international standards, ensuring that every purchase delivers true value for money. * Transparency: Our stations are renowned for integrity, consistency, and exceptional service. Customers know they can trust BOVAS at every touch point. * Accessibility: We make it easy for customers to reach us -- whether to give a compliment or raise a concern, our customer care team is always available to listen and respond. We understand that customers have choices, and that is why we continually strive to be the better choice. This dedication is what sustains loyalty across over 200 service stations, more than 60 LPG plants and skids nationwide, and fuels our mission to set the standard in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. Women are uniquely equipped for leadership, often in ways that are underestimated in the corporate world. I believe we possess natural qualities that, when deployed strategically, can become powerful assets in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. First and foremost is resilience and endurance. Women are naturally wired to multitask and to endure pressure. From managing homes to building careers, many women learn early how to balance multiple responsibilities effectively. In business, this resilience translates into the ability to remain focused, manage complexity, and keep the organisation moving forward even during challenging times. Secondly, women are blessed with emotional intelligence and empathy. We often have a natural ability to read people and understand situations beyond the surface level. This quality is invaluable in leadership, particularly in negotiation, customer relations, and team management. People naturally gravitate toward leaders who understand them and genuinely care about their well-being. At BOVAS and Company Limited, we believe strongly in leading with empathy, and that approach builds loyalty and trust that money alone cannot buy. Another strength is prayer, patience, and intuition. Women often possess the patience required to nurture ideas, build organisations steadily, and grow businesses sustainably rather than pursuing risky shortcuts. Intuition also plays a powerful role. There have been many instances in my journey where listening to that inner voice has helped guide decisions and protect the business. Finally, women have a remarkable attention to detail. In industries such as oil and gas, where safety, quality, and operational precision are critical, this attention to detail can make the difference between success and failure. It protects reputations, safeguards lives, and ensures operational excellence. These qualities are sometimes described as "soft skills," but they are strategic leadership advantages. My advice to women is simple: do not try to lead like a man -- lead like a woman. Embrace the unique strengths God has given you. Those qualities are not limitations; they are your greatest leadership superpower. That award from Kings University holds a very special place in my heart because it came from an academic community with the purpose of inspiring young people. It means that my journey -- from running a Texaco Nigeria Plc dealership to building BOVAS and Company Limited -- is being seen as a curriculum of hope for the next generation of entrepreneurs. For me, the recognition is an affirmation that it is possible to build a large and sustainable enterprise while still holding firmly to the values of integrity, discipline, and faith. It also reminds me that I have a responsibility to guide young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to remain focused rather than chasing too many opportunities at once. The award has truly served as a tonic and motivation for me to do even more, particularly in the area of business sustainability and mentoring the next generation of leaders. It takes God's grace and a wonderful family. People often ask how I have managed these responsibilities for over four decades, and the honest answer is structure and support. At the office, I am privileged to lead a formidable and highly professional team. I strongly believe in delegation because no leader can succeed alone. Building capable teams has been essential to the growth of BOVAS and Company Limited. At home, I am blessed with a very supportive husband, Arc. Bamidele Samson and children who understand and support the mission. Personally, I do not see it as balancing work and life, because that suggests they are opposing forces. Instead, I see it as integration. The empathy I use at home shapes my leadership style at work, while the organisational skills I apply in business also help me manage family life effectively. As for social commitments, I make sure that whenever I am present, I am fully present. Relationships -- whether with family, colleagues, or industry partners -- are vital because they are the fuel that sustains both leadership and life. My advice is threefold. First, get your focus right. Do not try to do everything at once. In business and in life, find your niche and work hard to master it. Second, let your integrity be your identity. In a country where shortcuts can sometimes appear attractive, your reputation must remain your greatest asset. Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. That is how enduring legacies are built. Finally, lead with empathy. Positive change is not measured only by profit margins; it is measured by the impact you make on people's lives. Whether it is supporting schools, hospitals, or helping vulnerable members of society, giving back must remain part of the leadership journey. Be bold, focused, and compassionate. The Nigeria we all desire will be built by leaders who combine competence with compassion. Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/women-should-not-lead-like-men-by-bovas-boss/