The University was established in 1962 by the Government of the then Northern Region of Nigeria to impart knowledge and learning to men and women of all races without distinction on the grounds of race, religious or political beliefs. The founding fathers expected the University to aspire to the highest international ideals of scholarship and to provide learning of a standard required and expected of a university of the highest standing while reflecting the needs, the traditions, and the social and intellectual heritage of the society in which it is located. The University was taken over by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1975 and has since then assumed a national mandate although its ties with the 19 states created out of the former Northern Region remain very strong.
The highest decision making organ of the University is the Governing Council which is composed of internal and external members, and chaired by a Chairman appointed by the Visitor of the University who is the Commander-in-Chief and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Presently, there are four other members appointed by the Visitor and representatives of the National Alumni Association and the Federal Ministry of Education. These are the external members. The internal members are representatives of the Senate and the Congregation as well as the Principal Officers of the University.