The University came into being in 2000 by Law, started academic work in 2001/2002 with 1,500 students with seven faculties and the College of Health Sciences. Currently the University has the following faculties; Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences, Agricultural Technology (2002/2003), Basic Medical Science (2006), Nursing and Pharmacy. There are three campuses. The main campus, Gloryland Campus, College of Health Sciences and the third, established in 2007 at the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, where the faculty of Law is situated. Presently, the University has a total of forty-four programmes, thirty-six of which have full accreditation status, academic staff strength of over 700 and student population of over 10,000. Postgraduate courses started with five courses in 2011/2012, in the following areas: Fisheries, Biological Science, Physics, Geography and Environmental Management and Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Culture & Religion

The rich cultural heritage of Bayelsa State, where the University is located, is expressed by the variety of her festivals through which the people recreate their past and reposition their culture to the present. Virtually every community in Bayelsa State has their own unique way of celebrating their cultural feast. One of such cultural festival is the Seigben Fishing and Feasting Festival in amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state where the university is located. This is an age-long annual tradition held at the Seigben Ogugu Lake in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State. It is usually graced by beautiful dances, dresses and performances of the Egbelegbele dance troupe among others. Other major activities that accompany the festival include art and craft, dietary habits, wrestling, a Love Boat party and singing. The festival is held every year on the 30th of May. The carnival nature of the celebration attracts people from all walks of life. Other notable ones are

• The Lake Efi Fishing Festival in Sabagreia in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
• Ogoriba Uge Festival in Odi in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State.
• Eremutoru Festival in Peretoru in Ekeremor Local Government Area.
• Obunem Festival in Epie Clan in Yenegoa Local Government Area.
• Idumangi Festival in Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area and many more others.

All these are graced by elaborate cultural performances which draw visitors from far and near. The University has its own Students week were various cultures are displayed, graced by beautiful dance performances, unique dresses, wrestling and singing, giving students an opportunity to socialize, chat and learn diverse cultural ways. The predominant religions in the State are Christianity and Traditional worship.