Gombe State University was set up by Governor Mohammed Danjuma Goje in 2003. The state's ministry of education set up a 35-member committee of stakeholders who reported to the state executive council to establish a state owned university.[1] The state executive council approved the constitution of a 24-member technical planning committee to oversee the affairs of the university at the time of its inception.[4] The university produces graduates to enable them to engage in productive political, economic, and social activities.[6][7] The university has no religious affiliation. As a state-owned university, it is affordable, with low tuition and accommodation costs.[8][better source needed][9]
Professor Abdullahi Mahadi was the first Vice Chancellor of the university. Prior to joining Gombe State University as its pioneer vice chancellor when the university was established in 2004, Mahdi had served in the same capacity at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for a period of four years. He had been the Vice Chancellor of Gombe State University since its inception in 2005 until 2014, when the then governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo,[10] appointed Ibrahim Umar as the next Vice Chancellor of the university.
The School of Postgraduate Studies was established following the section 7 (i) a of the Gombe State University Law 2004. While process for its establishment began in 2008/2009, the first School of Postgraduate Board was inaugurated on 30 July 2009. However, three academic programs commenced from 2012/2013 academic session, namely: M.A History, M.Sc. Physics and PGDE. Sequel to expansion in 2014/2015, the School of Postgraduate currently runs sixty-eight programs under three faculties.[18][19]
There is one main library in the university. The main library is a two-story building in the main campus, with various offices, departments, and units which house the administrative, technical and other staffs. The library has a large collection with over 52,000 volumes and 12,000 periodical titles, as well as a wide range of online and offline journals. The library is named after Professor Abdullahi Mahdi, the first vice chancellor of the university.
The University Main Library operates a with branch libraries attached to the Faculties/Departments.[20]