The Federal Government of Nigeria approved the establishment of the university, and it was subsequently licensed to operate by the [[National Universities Commission]] (NUC).

The Federal Government of Nigeria approved the establishment of the university, and it was subsequently licensed to operate by the [[National Universities Commission]] (NUC).

A Provisional Governing Council was inaugurated on 22 August 2001, with Professor J.T. Okedara as [[Vice Chancellor]] and Mr E. A. Lawale as [[Registrar (education)|Registrar]]. Academic activity started on 4 November 2002, with 506{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://bowen.edu.ng/history/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |language=en-US}} students admitted into the Faculties of Agriculture, Science, Science Education, and Social and Management Sciences.Joel Carpenter, [http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170131142300487 Christian universities are growing rapidly in Africa], universityworldnews.com, UK, February 03, 2017

A Provisional Governing Council was inaugurated on 22nd August 2001, with Professor J.T. Okedara appointed as [[Vice Chancellor]] and Mr E. A. Lawale as [[Registrar (education)|Registrar]]. Academic activities started on 4th November 2002, with 506{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://bowen.edu.ng/history/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |language=en-US}} students admitted into the Faculties of Agriculture, Science, Science Education, and Social and Management Sciences.Joel Carpenter, [http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20170131142300487 Christian universities are growing rapidly in Africa], universityworldnews.com, UK, February 03, 2017

In 2009, the NUC approved degree programmes in Medicine (MBBS), Anatomy (B.Sc) and Physiology (B.Sc) into the university and in 2011, Bowen University received approvals to begin the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Law. In 2017, the University had about 5,000 students.uniRank, [https://www.unirank.org/ng/uni/bowen-university/ UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW], unirank.org, Australia, retrieved May 8, 2021 In 2018, the university launched a radio stationBola Bamigbola, [https://punchng.com/bowen-university-radio-marks-2nd-anniversary/ Bowen University Radio marks 2nd anniversary], punchng.com, Nigeria, October 8, 2019 which was managed and operated by their Mass Communications Department.

In 2009, the NUC approved degree programmes in Medicine (MBBS), Anatomy (B.Sc) and Physiology (B.Sc) into the university and in 2011, Bowen University received approvals to begin the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Law. In 2017, the University had about 5,000 students.uniRank, [https://www.unirank.org/ng/uni/bowen-university/ UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW], unirank.org, Australia, retrieved May 8, 2021 In 2018, the university launched a radio stationBola Bamigbola, [https://punchng.com/bowen-university-radio-marks-2nd-anniversary/ Bowen University Radio marks 2nd anniversary], punchng.com, Nigeria, October 8, 2019 which was managed and operated by their Mass Communications Department.