Benue State University was established by the Benue State Government with the enactment of the Benue State University Edict No. 1 of 1991.

The University took off in the 1992/93 academic year with four faculties, namely, Arts, Education, Science and Social Sciences. Two Faculties, Law and Management Sciences came on stream in the 1993/94 academic year with Faculty of Environmental Sciences in the 2014/2015 academic session.

The post graduate school took off in the 1998/1999 academic year while the College of Health Sciences was established in the 2003/2004 academic session. The College has graduated three sets of Medical Doctors since 2015 and more will be graduated in subsequent years as the University Management and State Government are committed to ensuring that Medical Students graduate within record time.

The University took off Nineteen years ago during the tenure of Late Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu as Executive Governor of Benue State. Adasu, therefore became the first Visitor of the University. Adasu’s successors to the office of Governor who also became Visitors of the University include:

S/NO NAME OF GOVERNOR TENURE DURATION
1 Group Capt. Joshua Obademi 1993 – 1996
2 Brig. Gen. Aminu Isah Contagora 1996 – 1998
3 Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya 1998 – 1999
4 (Dr) George Akume 1999 – 2007
5 (Dr) Gabriel T. Suswam 2007 – 2015
6 (Dr) Samuel Ortom 2015 – Till date

The seventh and current Visitor of the University, since May 2015, is Dr. Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Executive Governor of Benue State.

The University has also had four Chancellors so far; the Pioneer Chancellor was (Dr.) Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (GCON) (1994–2004) while the second was Prof. Jubril Aminu (2004 – 2009). Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Mutallab (CON), served in that capacity from (2010–2015). While the incumbent Chancellor, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Hassan Lawal Gummi, OFR was installed in January, 2015.

The University has also had four Pro–Chancellors and Chairmen of Governing Council since inception, with Chief Amb. (Dr.) Edwin Ogbu of blessed memory as Pioneer Chairman of Council in 1992. His successors include, Prof Ochapa Onazi (1992 – 2005). Dr. Aako Ugbabe (2005 – 2008). Prof. Ode Ojowu (OON) (2008–2016) and the incumbent, Prof. Zacharys Agber Gundu (2016 to date).

The University has had five Vice–Chancellors from inception, with Prof Emeritus Charles Gbilekaa Vajime as Pioneer Vice–Chancellor, (1992–2000). Prof. David I. Ker (OON) became the second Vice–Chancellor from 3rd August, 2000 to 3rd November, 2005 while the 3rd Vice–Chancellor, Prof Akase P. Sorkaa assumed duty on the 3rd November, 2005 to 3rd November, 2010. Prof. Charity A. Angya took over on the 3rd November, 2010 as the fourth and first female Vice Chancellor, her tenure ended November 2, 2015. Prof. Msugh Moses Kembe assumed office as the fifth Vice–Chancellor on November 3, 2015 to 3rd of November, 2020, following which is the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tor Joe Iorapuu, who assumed office as the sixth Vice Chancellor on the 3rd of November, 2020.

• Total Enrollment : 21,628
• Undergraduate/Graduate ratio : 10.91
• No. of International Students : 33
• No. of Faculties : 9
• Student Faculty ratio : 1:30, 1:20
• No. of Staff : 1,963