The Federal University Birnin-Kebbi (FUBK) was established on 18th February, 2013 alongside those of Gusau and Gashua by the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in line with policy of the Government for establishing a Federal University in states that did not have one across the federation.

Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis, FNSMB, a Professor of Biochemistry and former Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto was appointed as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University while Ibrahim Abubakar Mungadi, FCAI, was appointed as the Registrar.